Three guilty of attempted murder over stabbing

Cain Henderson, Tayshon Graham and Reuben Fay were convicted of attempted murder

Three men have been convicted of attempted murder after an attack that left a man with life-changing injuries.

Bristol trio Reuben Fay, 20, of Lockleaze, Tayshon Graham, 21, of Easton and Cain Henderson, 24, of Eastville, repeatedly stabbed their victim on Boxing Day 2023.

All three previously admitted causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, but were found guilty of the more serious charge on Thursday after a trial.

A fourth man - Ajay Edwards, 22, of Slough - was cleared of attempted murder but had also previously admitted GBH.

The four men were remanded into custody ahead of sentencing at Bristol Crown Court on 22 December.

The trial heard that the 24-year-old victim, from the Fishponds area of the city, had gone for a meal with friends at a restaurant on Gloucester Road in Bishopston on the evening of the attack.

Graham, Fay and Edwards entered the same restaurant and sat down with their hoods up, studying the victim and his friends, for one minute before leaving.

Ajay Edwards was cleared of attempted murder by the jury

The three men returned to Gloucester Road, joined by Henderson. and chased the other group as they left the restaurant at about 22:50 GMT.

The victim tripped and fell in nearby Bishop Road before he was stabbed at least seven times by the three men.

He suffered a brain injury and significant wounds to his face, neck, shoulder, arm, chest and buttock, the court heard.

'Lifesaving first aid'

The victim's injuries were initially described as life-threatening by medics, but police said the "prompt actions" from members of the public and emergency services helped to save his life.

The attackers fled the scene and all except Henderson left Bristol afterwards, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Det Ch Insp Jess Aston, from the force, said it took "months of painstaking investigation" to reach the point of conviction.

"This attack was targeted and planned, and three of those responsible attempted to evade justice by leaving Bristol almost immediately.

"We're determined to make sure that those who cause such serious harm will be brought before the courts," she added.

The defendants were initially charged with GBH with intent, but the Crown Prosecution Service added the alternative charge of attempted murder after examining more evidence.