A man who stabbed to death a mother with a zombie knife in front of her three-year-old daughter at Notting Hill Carnival’s family day has been convicted of murder.
Shakeil Thibou, 20, stabbed Cher Maximen, 32, in the groin with a “huge” weapon during a melee at the Carnival on August 25 last year.
Ms Maximen’s young daughter was close by as the attack unfolded, and she died in hospital a few days later.
At the Old Bailey on Wednesday, Thibou was found guilty by a jury of murder, as well as attempting to cause grievous bodily to 20-year-old Adjei Isaac with intent, and having an offensive weapon.
Moments before the stabbing of Ms Maximen, Thibou had lunged forward in a bid to stab Mr Isaac with the fearsome weapon he was brandishing.
At the trial, Thibou’s brother Sheldon, 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.
Shakeil Thibou now faces an automatic life prison term when he is sentenced on May 16.
Members of Ms Maximen’s family shouted ‘yes’ as the guilty verdicts were delivered, after the jury deliberated on the case for more than 50 hours.
Prosecutor Ed Brown KC told the trial the stabbing happened at just before 6pm, when a disturbance broke out in the crowd.
"Cher Maximen was killed and the knife, the weapon used to kill her, was wielded by the first defendant, Shakeil Thibou”, he said.
"Cher Maximen was visiting the carnival too. She was 32 at the time she was attacked. She has a daughter aged three. Her daughter was very close by when her mother, Cher, was attacked and killed.
"Cher Maximen suffered a terrible injury from which she died. The knife wielded by the defendant you will see – not physically here in court as the defendant got rid of it soon the attack but on camera footage of the fatal attack itself.
"It is a shocking weapon to have, let alone to use, but use it the defendant did and with devastating consequences. He killed Cher Maximen with it.
"Moments - and I mean moments - before he stabbed Cher Maximen, the first defendant carried out an equally horrifying attack – on a man who was already retreating from him and from his knife. He was lucky.
"His name is Adjei Isaac. In fact, he in those moments he may not have realised, or does not now realise, the real danger he faced. He was able to retreat and just draw his body back away from the knife as the defendant Shakeil Thibou thrust it towards his stomach and abdomen – more than once.”
The court heard the stabbing happened in the street below the Trellick Tower on Golborne Road, north Kensington.
"There were hundreds of people in the area – the Carnival was in full swing and the location was just off the actual carnival route", said Mr Brown.
Ms Maximen, a model and clothing designer, was taken to hospital after the stabbing just before 6pm, and died later from her injuries.
The trial heard how Ms Maximen happened to be standing close to the disturbance as it broke out, with PC Mort initially intervening to try to stop it.
The crowd parted as Sheldon Thibou got into a physical confrontation with a group of other males, and he brandished a stun gun as he and Shaeim hit out at the police officer.
Shakeil Thibou was caught on camera thrusting the knife towards Mr Isaac’s stomach, and Ms Maximen was knocked to the ground in the ensuing melee.
She managed to get to her feet, and appeared to lift her right leg at Shakeil Thibou who raised the knife directly towards her and deliberately stabbed her in her groin.
In his defence, Shakeil Thibou claimed he picked up the knife at the carnival and acted in self-defence against Mr Isaac, and he said the death of Ms Maximen was an accident.
Emma Currie, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This is a profoundly tragic case where a young child lost her mother, on what was meant to be a family-friendly day for them both at the carnival.
“Cher was caught up in the panicked crowd caused by the actions of the Thibou brothers, who robbed her of her life and the chance to see her little girl grow up.
“The brothers’ actions showed no regard for the hundreds of people around them. They were undeterred by the police presence close by, with Sheldon and Shaeim assaulting the police officers who quickly and bravely intervened.
“The jury has carefully considered all the evidence before returning guilty verdicts, which I hope will bring a sense of justice for the community. Our thoughts remain with Cher’s family and friends as they deal with this unimaginable loss.”
