Three jailed after drug deal ends in machete attack

Keon Graham, 25, Nolan Akuoko, 21, and Dylan Craft, 21, were sentenced in connection with an attempt to buy cannabis that led to violence

Three gang members have been jailed in connection with a machete attack that left a man seriously injured after a "drug deal went wrong".

Ipswich Crown Court heard how Keon Graham, 25, Nolan Akuoko, 21, and Dylan Craft, 21, were involved in a botched cannabis deal in the town on November 2024.

During the "gang-related drug violence", an imitation handgun was fired, the victim was stabbed multiple times, and blood-stained money was left strewn across a street.

As he gave Graham, Akuoko and Craft prison sentences, Judge Martyn Levett said: "This was a drug deal that went wrong but I hope this sends a stark message that courts will work to deter and eradicate the use of weapons in attacks."

Judge Martyn Levett, sitting at Ipswich Crown Court, said he hoped the sentences he passed would send a "stark message"

Graham, of Lake Avenue, Bury St Edmunds, was jailed for 14 years for wounding with intent, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, possession of criminal property and possession of a blade.

Akuoko, of Salters Lane, Rotherham, was given 10 years for affray, possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, possession of criminal property and two counts of breaching a criminal behaviour order.

Craft, of Mill Lane, Felixstowe, was jailed for 37 months for possession of criminal property and being in breach of a criminal behaviour order and a suspended sentence order.

The three defendants were sentenced on Wednesday following a trial at Ipswich Crown Court in May

In 2023, the three defendants had been convicted in connection with the kidnap and robbery of a child in Woodbridge in 2021.

Graham and Akuoko had also previously been sentenced for chasing a man down a street with a samurai sword and a large machete in 2020.

The court heard how, while in prison, they met the Albanian man who would later be attacked and who was described as having a "significant connection to a syndicate".

As a result of the previous offences, Graham had been banned from entering Ipswich and was forbidden from association with Akuoko.

But on 22 November 2024, Graham, using a false name, booked an Airbnb in Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, as a "headquarters" for a drug deal.

£15,000 in cash

The court heard how, at about 19:00 GMT in a nearby car park, the three defendants met a group of Albanians who had driven from Hertfordshire.

Graham had the 21-inch machete tucked into his trousers and he, Akuoko and Craft had up to £15,000 in their possession to buy 6kg (13lb) of cannabis.

But at the rendezvous, Akuoko pulled the imitation firearm, the court heard.

He put it to the victim's head, who pushed it away causing it to be fired.

This sparked a fight, during which Graham stabbed the man in the back and stomach and slashed at his head with a machete.

Graham, Akuoko and Craft fled and then disposed of the machete and the imitation firearm in the River Orwell.

The court heard how the weapons were never recovered, but police did find a 9mm bullet casing and thousands of pounds of "blood-stained notes" scattered across the scene.

'Daily pain'

In a statement, the victim said the attack had "completely changed" his life, leaving him "withdrawn, isolated and emotionally numb".

It read: "The physical pain was immediate and intense but the long term consequences have been far worse than I ever could have imagined.

"Physically, I am still in daily pain, if I twist the wrong way it feels like a knife is going in all over again and there are days where I simply cannot leave the house.

"I have been suffering from PTSD, have reoccurring nightmares, and some nights I am too afraid to sleep at all - I no longer feel safe."