Men jailed over 'violent' street fight in Leicester

Destiny Ojo, left, and Habib Lawal were found guilty of various offences after a trial

Four men who used knives, a baseball bat and a crutch as weapons in a fight in Leicester city centre have been jailed.

Destiny Ojo, Habib Lawal, Ridwanulahi Raheem and Joshua Davies-Ero were all students at De Montfort University when the fight took place at about 03:00 GMT on 4 November 2021.

Police say the fight, which led to the stabbing of an 18-year-old man, broke out after a verbal altercation with another group in New Park Street, off Braunstone Gate.

The men, all 21, were sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Thursday after being found guilty of various offences, including violent disorder, following a six-week trial.

Leicestershire Police said CCTV footage showed the four men, who were all originally from London, arming themselves with weapons.

Davies-Ero was seen carrying a crutch and Ojo a baseball bat, while Lawal was holding what was believed to be a large knife.

Raheem was also later seen carrying a large knife, the force said.

An 18-year-old man, who was with the other group and involved in the fight, was thrown to the ground and stabbed four times during the disorder.

He was taken to hospital for treatment before later being discharged, said police.

Raheem, left, and Davies-Ero, both from London, were studying in Leicester

Ojo, of Warland Road, Plumstead, was sentenced to seven years in prison for violent disorder, attempted grievous bodily harm and committing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Lawal, of Western Road, Leicester, was jailed for five years for violent disorder, attempted grievous bodily harm and committing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Raheem, of George Mathers Road, Lambeth, was handed a three-year prison sentence for violent disorder and possession of a bladed article.

Davies-Ero, of Springfield Road, Bexley, was jailed for two years after being found guilty of violent disorder.

A fifth man, Justin Asamoah, 22, of Rawnsley Avenue, Merton, previously pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article, and is due to be sentenced on Friday.

Det Con Sean Downey said: "This incident highlights the serious danger of violent disorder.

"It is extremely fortunate that further injury was not caused to the people involved or to other members of the public who witnessed the incident. This could have been a very different investigation.

"We will not tolerate violent disorder in our communities and will take action against those who are responsible for it."