Two men jailed after teen stabbed in chicken shop

(L-R) Kaya Adu, 19 and Rushi Jadeja, 21 have been sentenced after a boy was left in a life-threatening condition following a stabbing in January

Two men have been jailed after a 16-year-old was stabbed multiple times in a chicken shop.

Kaya Adu, 19, of Hereward Green in Loughton, and Rushi Jadeja, 21, of Pickford Walk in Colchester, have been found guilty of grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent.

CCTV footage indicated that the victim was involved in an argument with the two men inside Pepe's Chicken Shop, in Queen Street, Colchester, before he was repeatedly stabbed at about 18:30 GMT on 9 January.

Both men were sentenced to six years and nine months and Adu was also ordered to spend an additional three years on licence at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday.

The men were arrested in Colchester on 13 January and were charged with attempted murder. Adu was also charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

Following a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on 9 April, both men entered guilty pleas to GBH with intent, which was accepted.

The 16-year-old boy had been stabbed multiple times before he managed to escape onto the street, Essex Police said.

The victim was taken to hospital and his condition was initially believed to be life-threatening, but he has since made a full recovery.

Det Ch Insp Greg Wood said: “Adu and Jadeja escalated a verbal altercation into a serious assault, which almost cost a 16-year-old boy his life.

“The victim has had to have multiple surgeries following this assault but thankfully has since made a full recovery.

"I hope he can put this horrendous assault behind him following this sentence."