The individual responsible for the murder of Cher Maximen, who was killed in front of her three-year-old daughter during the Notting Hill Carnival, has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Shakeil Thibou, a 20-year-old from Kensington, received his sentence at the Old Bailey, where it was mandated that he serve an absolute minimum of 29 years behind bars.
Cher Maximen, aged 32, suffered fatal injuries after being stabbed with a large knife in the chaos that erupted between a group of men nearby. She succumbed to her injuries six days later in the hospital.
In a statement outside the courtroom, Ms. Maximen’s family expressed their belief that “justice had been served,” yet they remarked that “no punishment is sufficient” for her assailant.
During the sentencing, Judge Philip Katz emphasized the profound ripple effects Cher’s horrific murder has had on her loved ones, stating, “The impact of her brutal and shocking death cannot be overstated.”
The prosecution revealed that on August 25—family day at the carnival—Thibou attacked a man named Adjei Isaac with a “huge” knife amid the fracas. As Mr. Isaac sought to dodge the oncoming strike, they both fell into the vicinity of a crowd that included Ms. Maximen. In his attempts to rise, Thibou swung the knife towards Ms. Maximen, injuring her in the groin while she tried to shield her daughter by tugging at his coat and kicking at him.
Thibou was found guilty of murder, as well as attempted grievous bodily harm with intent against Mr. Isaac and possession of an offensive weapon.
TJ Jacobs, the godmother of Ms. Maximen’s daughter, commented, “We hope this verdict serves as a warning to anyone who might come to events and behave recklessly, leading to such tragic outcomes.”
Regarding Ms. Maximen’s daughter, her grandmother, Vyleen Maximen, shared, “She’s growing up beautifully. She’s happy and always smiling. We keep her memory alive by talking about her mother regularly.”
Judge Katz remarked on Thibou’s “brazen” act, which unfolded in full view of families and law enforcement, noting that instead of enjoying a festive day, Cher’s daughter witnessed the horrific murder of her mother.
He remarked on the tragic irony that as tensions escalated at the carnival, Cher had voiced her concerns to a nearby police officer, expressing her unwillingness to let any threat come to her daughter’s safety.
Judge Katz characterized the incident as one fueled by “young men, under the influence of alcohol and drugs, eager to engage in violence,” highlighting how the police were overwhelmed as the situation spiraled out of control. He described reviewing police body camera footage as “terrifying.”
Addressing Thibou directly, Judge Katz stated, “When violence erupted, you were quick to join in. You were so charged up that you didn’t hesitate to wield your knife, and you acted with such audacity that it happened right in front of police officers.”
Thibou remained stoic in the dock, donning a medical face mask and a blue beanie hat.
A victim impact statement from Cher’s grandmother, Vyleen Maximen, was read aloud in court: “Cher was my first grandchild, my companion. I held her when she was born. For 32 years, I loved, laughed, and made memories with her. I will never experience that joy again. I’ll never see her marry or have more children. The void in my heart is everlasting. I will never hear her come through my door saying ‘hello, nanny.’ Life will never be the same again.”
Thibou’s brother, Sheldon, aged 25, was found guilty of violent disorder and assaulting Officer Oliver Mort during the incident. A third sibling, Shaeim, aged 22, was acquitted of violent disorder but convicted of assaulting Officer Mort, receiving a six-month suspended sentence for 18 months; Sheldon will face sentencing at a later date.
