CARNIVAL KILLING
Thug GUILTY of murdering mum who was stabbed with zombie knife in front of her daughter, 3, at Notting Hill
Model was knifed in the groin as killer lunged for intended victim
A THUG has been found guilty of stabbing a mum to death with a zombie knife in front of her toddler.
Cher Maximen was enjoying a family day at Notting Hill Carnival with her three-year-old when a brawl erupted.
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Shakeil Thibou, 20, had attempted to stab intended victim Adjei Isaac when he instead knifed the mum in the groin after she was knocked to the ground.
Adjei had managed to survive by just "centimetres" after moving his body away from the zombie knife.
Cher was rushed to hospital but sadly couldn't be saved and died six days later.
Shakeil has now been found guilty of murder, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and having an offensive weapon, namely a knife.
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His brothers Sheldon Thibou, 25, and Shaeim Thibou, 22, also stood trial over their alleged roles in the fight.
Sheldon was convicted of violent disorder and assault on an emergency worker, while Shaeim was found guilty of assaulting a police officer but was cleared of violent disorder.
Cher's family sobbed an shouted "yes" as the verdict was returned today.
Prosecutor Edward Brown KC said the "truly shocking" violence erupted at around 5.48pm on August 25 last year.
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The defendants and two men began fighting - causing the crowd to part and a police officer, PC Oliver Mort, to intervene.
Sheldon Thibou, who was holding a stun gun, attacked the officer with Shaeim.
Meanwhile, Shakeil Thibou thrust a "huge" knife repeatedly towards Adjei's stomach - only missing him because the victim moved back.
Mr Brown said: "You will see that Cher Maximen had been knocked to the ground in the immediate events as Adjei Isaac recoiled from Shakeil Thibou’s knife.
"In his efforts to save himself from the knife attack, he had come into contact with Cher.
"It is clear that she had simply got caught up in the events."
The court heard after she was knocked over, Cher attempted to pull herself up using Shakeil Thibou’s coat.
She then tried to "strike out" at Shakeil, who raised the zombie knife and "deliberately thrust it towards her, stabbing her in the groin".
He then fled the scene with his brothers as Cher fell injured to the ground.
Shakeil, of Hammersmith, denied murder, attempted murder and having an offensive weapon.
Sheldon, of Fulham, and Shaeim, of West Kensington, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder and assault on an emergency worker.
Shakeil will be sentenced on May 16, while his brothers will be dealt with on a date to be fixed.
Heartbroken Lawrence Hoo, Cher's cousin, said the way his relative died fills him with "rage."
He told Sky News: "She saw her mother drop to the floor, and then she saw her mother bleed. That's the daughter's last living memory of her mother.
"And to live with that, knowing that that's happened, that somebody did that. That's why it's so hard and that's where the rage comes from."
Cher's devastated grandmother Vyleen Maximen said her life will never be the same since the horror incident.
She said: "Cher, my first born grandchild, my friend. I held you in my arms when you were born. 32 years of loving, of laughing, playing, crying and holidaying with you. I will no longer have that pleasure ever again. Not seeing you get married or have more children.
"Life will never be the same. Ever. We just have to live life, the best that we can and I will raise your daughter Cher, until my last breath. I will never hear your key opening my front door and shouting 'Hello Nanny'."
Relative TJ Jacobs shared an emotional tribute: "We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the jury for helping ensure justice is served for our beloved Cher Maximen – affectionately known to us as Princess Cher, Ri Ri, Churbs, Churburt, Cher Bear and Bear.
"What happened to us has completely turned our lives upside down. Losing Cher has filled our hearts with immeasurable sadness."
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.
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“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.”
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