Notting Hill Carnival murder trial shock: Accused claims he was “scared” as mother stabbed in front of her child – courtroom drama unfolds at the Old Bailey!
By Ben Freeman
The trial of Shakeil Thibou, accused of the fatal stabbing of Cher Maximen at Notting Hill Carnival, continued at the Old Bailey, where the defendant took the stand to give his account of the events leading to the young mother’s death. Thibou, 20, from Kensington, denies murder, attempted murder, and possessing an offensive weapon. His two brothers, Sheldon Thibou, 25, and Shaeim Thibou, 22, also stand trial for violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker, charges they deny.
The court has already heard that Ms Maximen, 32, was fatally stabbed in the groin with a large knife described as a "zombie knife", during a violent altercation that erupted amid the carnival crowds. She had attended the event on Sunday, 25 August—traditionally known as family day—with her three-year-old daughter and a group of friends.
The child was nearby, shielded by adults, as the violence unfolded in Golborne Road, west London. Taking the witness stand, Shakeil Thibou told the jury he had been "scared" and claimed he picked up the weapon to defend himself and his brother during the altercation. He insisted he had not intended to kill or seriously harm Ms Maximen.
Describing the moments before the stabbing, Thibou said he was involved in a confrontation when "a man in a white top came running over", describing him as "very aggressive and hyped up." He claimed that both he and his brother had already suffered cuts to their hands and ears.
According to Thibou, during the struggle, he noticed that a knife had been dropped by one of the men involved. He told the jury:
"When I spotted the knife on the ground, I picked it up to protect myself and my brother. I wasn’t sure if he had another knife on him. I was just scared at this point and I just wanted to scare him off."
He described his actions as an act of intimidation rather than intent to cause harm, stating:
"I walked towards him with the knife in my hand and kind of thrust it towards him. I was just intending to scare him off so he would run off. At no point did I want to kill him. At no point did I want to cause him any injury."
However, the prosecution alleges that Ms Maximen became caught in the middle of the brawl as the men clashed in the packed carnival street. She had been crouched down, chatting with friends, when the fight broke out and the crowd splintered.
Jurors have already seen video footage showing how, in the chaos, Ms Maximen was knocked to the ground. As she attempted to get back to her feet, she grabbed hold of Shakeil Thibou’s coat for balance. In response, the prosecution claims, Thibou deliberately raised the knife and thrust it towards her, delivering the fatal wound to her groin.
The 12cm-deep wound caused catastrophic internal bleeding. Ms Maximen collapsed and was later rushed to hospital, where she died six days later.
Under questioning from his defence barrister, Philip Evans KC, Thibou was asked about the moment he realised a woman had been stabbed. He told the court:
"I've seen somebody drop to the floor and realised they had long hair, and that made me realise it was a girl rather than a guy. They dropped instantly, and at this point, I was very scared, so I ran off. I feel so sad for her and her family."
He admitted disposing of the knife down a drain as he fled the scene and also putting on his friend’s black coat, explaining:
"I wasn’t sure if I was going to be a target, so I told him to give me his coat."
He also told jurors he feared the man who had attacked him could have been linked to a gang.
The prosecution has characterised the violence as "a horrifying outbreak" amid a "happy, carefree event", highlighting the moment Thibou allegedly lunged at another man, Adjei Isaac, in a "determined, thrusting movement" before Ms Maximen was fatally wounded.
Body-worn police footage played in court captured the brief but brutal encounter, which lasted just eight seconds. Prosecutor Ed Brown KC described how "pure anger" could be seen in Thibou’s face as he clashed with others in the street.
The trial continues.....
Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all, stay safe. And I’ll see you then.
Bénédict Tarot Freeman
Editor-at-Large
VPN City-Desk
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