Three barbers who launched a “ferocious attack” on the owners of a rival salon have been jailed.

Brothers Farhan and Zeshan Ismail catered to sports stars, including England rugby captain Chris Robshaw, and celebrities at their Richmond Road, Kingston, salon.

But when a rival salon opened up next door in a former sandwich shop they resented the competition, Kingston Crown Court heard today.

Competitors Omar and Mohaned Nasraldin were left with cuts, bruises, fractures, and a bite mark after the attack in July.

The court was shown CCTV footage showing one of the brothers combing his hair using the Nasraldins’ shop window.

The Nasraldins brought down the shutters, sparking an argument which escalated into a three-on-two brawl inside the shop.

The Ismail brothers and apprentice Denarte Bessa were each sentenced to a total of 10 months in prison at Kingston Crown Court today on two counts of actual bodily harm.

They had pleaded guilty in October after the charges were downgraded from causing grievous bodily harm.

Sending them to prison today, Recorder Bobbie Cheema QC called their actions a “ferocious attack”.

She added: “This was an extremely frightening incident. It left them with nasty injuries.

“You resented the fact that they were setting up as business rivals to you.

“You may have felt threatened.

“But fair competition is perfectly acceptable. It provides a greater choice for the customer.”

Prosecutor Stephen Apted told the court that after the assault the Nasraldins felt they “had to sell up their business and move away from the area – at a financial loss to themselves.”

The salon reverted to a sandwich shop shortly afterwards.

Farhan Ismail, 36, of Earle Gardens, a father of four young children, stared at the floor of the dock as Recorder Cheema recounted the details of the assault.

Barrister Keith Myers, defending the brothers, said the elder was “absolutely disgusted with himself”.

He added: “This is a person that accepts what he has done and of course he wants to make amends for what he has done.

“He can’t believe this is what has happened.

“What comes across from the various character letters are that he is not only a good and reliable person but also he carries with him some responsibility in the community.”

Of younger brother Zeshan, 27, who lives in Coombe Lane West, Mr Myers said: “He is a man of no convictions, no antecedents, of previous good character.

“There has been a lot of reflection.

“He now recognises the impact of his actions.”

The brothers were given a string of character references from clients and neighbouring business owners, plus figures like John Azah, director of Kingston Race and Equalities Council.

Roy Headlam, defending hairdressing apprentice Bessa, 20, also known as Jose Escorcio, of The Crescent, New Malden, said: “His initial involvement was to defuse the situation.

“It deteriorated very quickly, it escalated, and he found himself involved.

“He deeply regrets his actions.”