A man has been found guilty of murdering a mother who was stabbed in front of her three-year-old daughter at Notting Hill Carnival.
Cher Maximen, 32, was at the event’s family day in west London on 25 August last year when she was stabbed in the groin. She died in hospital on 31 August.
Following a trial at the Old Bailey, 20-year-old Shakeil Thibou was found guilty of murder.
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Mother killed in Notting Hill Carnival attack was ‘beautiful soul
Cher Maximen was stabbed in front of her daughter
Thibou was also convicted of attempting to cause grievous bodily to 20-year-old Adjei Isaac with intent, and having an offensive weapon.
His brother Sheldon Thibou, 25, was found guilty of violent disorder and assaulting PC Oliver Mort, who tried to intervene.
A third brother, Shaeim Thibou, 22, was cleared of violent disorder but convicted of assaulting PC Mort after the jury deliberated for 50 hours and 33 minutes.
There was a shout of “yes” from Ms Maximen’s family in court as the verdicts were delivered.
The Old Bailey heard a disturbance broke out at about 5.48pm between the defendants and at least two other males close to where Ms Maximen was standing with her group.
Ms Maximen died six days after the attack
The crowd parted as Sheldon Thibou got into a physical confrontation with the males, prompting PC Mort to step in to break it up, jurors were told.
Sheldon Thibou was holding a stun gun as he and Shaeim hit out at the officer, the court heard.
Meanwhile, Shakeil Thibou thrust a “huge” knife repeatedly towards Mr Isaac’s stomach, only missing him because the victim drew back.
Ms Maximen was knocked to the ground after Mr Isaac came into contact with her, then managed to partially get to her feet, the prosecutor said.
Shakeil Thibou raised the knife directly towards her and deliberately stabbed her in her groin, jurors heard.
‘Truly shocking attack’
Ms Maximen suffered a 12cm deep knife wound, which caused severe internal bleeding in her groin.
Mr Brown said: “The injuries inflicted on Ms Maximen were fatal – the defendant had killed her. It was a truly shocking attack, and regarded as such by those around it.”
The defendants, of Hammersmith, west London, had denied the charges against them although Sheldon Thibou admitted having the stun gun.
In his defence, Shakeil Thibou claimed he picked up the knife at the carnival and acted in self-defence against Mr Isaac.
He claimed the death of Ms Maximen was an accident.
However, the prosecution case was that the knife was brought to the scene by the defendant, and that another blade was found during a search of his room.
The judge just set sentencing for Shakeil Thibou on May 16.
