Kyron MacGregor and Tyeece Richardson were both heading across Nottingham’s Victoria Centre in separate groups when they suddenly spotted each other.
Without a moment’s hesitation and despite other shoppers standing yards away, MacGregor and Richardson decided to pull out machetes they’d been hiding under their clothes.
The duo then squared up to one another while holding the bladed weapons in their hands, before both fleeing in opposite directions without landing a blow or causing any injuries.
Police were notified soon after the confrontation, which lasted only a few seconds, but was witnessed by several stunned onlookers, just before 3.30pm on 14 March 2025.
After viewing the available CCTV footage, it didn’t take long for MacGregor, 20, and Richardson, 18, to be identified as the two people responsible, with officers arresting them soon after.
Both pleaded guilty to the charge of threatening a person with a blade in a public place when they appeared before Nottingham Crown Court on 17 April.
MacGregor, of Bailey Street, Basford, and Richardson, of Glaisdale Drive West, Wollaton, both returned to the same court to be sentenced on Thursday (24 April).
MacGregor received an 18 month prison sentence, while Richardson was told he’ll spend the next 18 months in a young offenders’ institution.
Detective Inspector Julian Eminson-Ferry, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“MacGregor and Richardson’s decision to brandish machetes inside a busy shopping centre was staggeringly reckless.
“They clearly had no regard for the safety of themselves, each other, or other members of the public standing nearby, who must have been appalled by what they were seeing.
“While thankfully nobody, including either of them, was harmed, their actions were extremely dangerous and miles away from what rightminded people would ever consider acceptable.
“Carrying a knife or other bladed weapon in public is an incredibly serious offence that will never be tolerated by our police force and will lead to a robust response.
“Anyone who makes the decision to do this should expect to be tracked down by the police and hauled before the courts to face the consequences of their actions.
“This was showcased in this case, with both MacGregor and Richardson receiving custodial sentences for their actions, a little over a month on from doing what they did.”
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