Youth gangs fight with Samurai swords over girl

In around 2005, there were a series of youth gangs in Melbourne Victoria. This case involved the gangs named “SNK”, “Little Fitzroy”, “Young Richmond” and “Old Richmond”.

Hieu Huu Nguyen, the accused, and a group of other SNK members approached Hai Nguyen from Little Fitzroy to arrange a fight between the two groups. SNK and Little Fitzroy were in conflict because a member from SNK had been making romantic advances to Hai’s girlfriend.

The next day, Hieu picked up a number of SNK members and collected a bag of weapons including at least three Samurai swords, machetes, knives, and metal poles. Hieu himself possessed a 30cm Samurai sword. Little Fitzroy also gathered weapons including machetes, Samurai swords, poles and baseball bats. Tuan Mai, the Little Fitzroy leader, possessed a full-size Samurai sword.

SNK and Young Richmond were first to arrive at Fitzroy Gardens and Old Richmond later arrived unarmed to observe the fight. Some time after, Little Fitzroy arrived and SNK and Young Richmond charged towards them. It was estimated that there were between 30 and 70 members of SNK and between 10 and 15 members of Little Fitzroy.

Tuan led Little Fitzroy against SNK and Young Richmond and when the groups collided, Hieu attempted to stab Tuan with his 30cm Samurai sword with an underhand movement aimed at the stomach region. Tuan took a step backwards and then produced his full-size Samurai sword, initially holding it by his side.

For a second time, Hieu attempted to stab Tuan with his sword in an underhand movement aiming at the stomach. Tuan stepped back but this time responded by swinging his own Samurai sword at Hieu and missed. Hieu for a third time attempted to stab Tuan with his sword but Tuan then put both hands on his full-size sword and swung at Hieu's head.

Hieu raised his left hand in a reflex to protect his head and ducked, but he was horrifically injured when his hand was completely severed at the wrist. He screamed with pain and fell to the ground. SNK and Young Richmond then ran away with Little Fitzroy chasing them.

Two of the SNK members took Hieu to St Vincent's Hospital. Police searched for and recovered the Hieu’s hand a short time later and took it to St Vincent's where it was surgically reattached. There had been numerous members of the public present in Fitzroy Gardens at the time of the incident, including picnickers and joggers and others attending a seminar at the nearby Dallas Brookes Hall, many of whom would have been alarmed and no doubt traumatised by these events.

Hieu pleaded guilty to (1) affray and (2) attempting to cause serious injury intentionally and was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment. Tuan pleaded guilty to (1) affray and (2) recklessly causing serious injury and was sentenced to 2.5 years imprisonment.

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