A man who murdered a woman in front of her three-year-old daughter during Notting Hill Carnival’s family day has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 29 years.
Shakeil Thibou, 20, stabbed Cher Maximen, 32, in the groin as her young daughter was close by on August 25 last year. Judge Philip Katz KC said Thibou’s “brazen” attack had been carried out in broad daylight in front of families and the police.
Thibou, who wore a medical face mask and blue beanie hat in the dock, looked straight ahead throughout.
Moments before he stabbed Ms Maximen, he had carried out an “equally horrifying attack” on a man who was backing away from him, his Old Bailey trial heard.
Thibou was found guilty of murder and also convicted of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm 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.
Judge Katz said it was “not possible to overstate the impact” of Ms Maximen’s death on her family and friends.
“Cher Maximen took her three-year-old daughter to a children’s day at the Notting Hill Carnival,” he said. “Instead of them both just enjoying a fun day together, that child witnessed her mother being murdered in front of her.
“The police were totally outnumbered as the violence spun out of control. Just watching the bodyworn footage was terrifying.
“When violence broke out, you were quick to move to join in. You were so fired up that you didn’t hesitate to use your knife.
“You were so brazen that it was carried out in front of police officers.”
Sheldon and Shaeim Thibou will be sentenced separately.
