Young Mother Fatally Stabbed with ‘Zombie Knife’ in Front of Three-Year-Old Daughter, Court Hears
By Ben Freeman
A man has gone on trial accused of murdering a young mother with a "zombie knife" at last year’s Notting Hill Carnival, in what prosecutors described as a “horrifying outbreak of violence.”
Cher Maximen, 32, was celebrating the annual event with friends and her three-year-old daughter when she was allegedly stabbed by Shakeil Thibou, 20, during an altercation on Golborne Road on Sunday, 25 August 2024.
Thibou, who was allegedly armed with a large knife, is accused of deliberately stabbing Ms Maximen in the groin after she became caught up in the violence. He denies murder.
His two brothers, Sheldon Thibou, 25, and Shaeim Thibou, 22, are also on trial, charged with assaulting a police officer and violent disorder.
The trial, which began at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, heard that Ms Maximen was not involved in any dispute but was knocked to the ground during the confrontation, moments before she was fatally stabbed.
“A Truly Shocking Eight Seconds”
Prosecutor Ed Brown KC outlined the prosecution’s case, describing how Ms Maximen and her friends had been sitting on the ground with their children when they became caught in the middle of an altercation involving Thibou and at least two other men.
Jurors heard that Thibou produced a large knife, described by witnesses as a "zombie knife", and repeatedly lunged at a man named Adjei Isaac in a :
"Determined, thrusting movement".
The knife reportedly missed Mr Isaac by centimetres, and during the altercation, the two men collided with Ms Maximen, who had been crouched nearby.
As the scene descended into chaos, Ms Maximen struggled to regain her footing, grabbing onto Thibou’s coat in an attempt to stand.
Mr Brown KC told the court:
"Cher Maximen, in those moments, grabbed hold of Shakeil Thibou's coat, pulled it and managed to get partially to her feet.
"She appeared to attempt to strike out with her hand at Shakeil, who, of course, was still holding that knife in his hand. Cher Maximen took a step towards Shakeil Thibou and at the same time attempted to raise her right leg out towards him."
At that moment, Thibou allegedly raised the knife and thrust it directly into Ms Maximen’s groin.
“It was at this moment, Shakeil Thibou raised the knife directly towards Cher Maximen and deliberately thrust it towards her, stabbing her in the groin.”
According to prosecutors, the attack lasted just eight seconds.
Fatal Wound and Aftermath
Ms Maximen collapsed as the defendants fled the scene. The knife wound, which was 12cm deep, caused severe internal bleeding.
Despite receiving emergency medical attention, Ms Maximen died in hospital six days later.
Following the stabbing, Thibou allegedly disposed of the knife before being arrested.
Bodycam Footage Shown to Jury
During the trial, jurors were shown police bodycam footage from the scene. As the footage was played in court, Mr Brown KC described Thibou’s expression, telling jurors:
“You will see pure anger in the face of Shakeil Thibou. This was right in front of her three-year-old daughter.”
The prosecution alleges that the stabbing took place amid a crowd of hundreds of carnival-goers, many of whom had gathered for what was meant to be a “happy, carefree event”.
The trial at the Old Bailey continues....
Well, that’s all for now. But until our next report, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all please stay safe, and we'll see you then.
Bénédict Tarot Freeman
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