Killer jailed for life for stabbing mum at Carnival

Cher Maximen was stabbed at Notting Hill Carnival's family day

The man who murdered Cher Maximen in front of her three-year-old daughter at Notting Hill Carnival has been jailed for life.

Shakeil Thibou, 20, from Kensington in west London, was sentenced at the Old Bailey where he was ordered to serve a minimum term of 29 years.

Ms Maximen, 32, was stabbed with a zombie knife when a fight between a group of men broke out next to her. She died six days later in hospital.

Speaking outside court, Ms Maximen's family said "justice had been served" but that "no sentence is long enough" for her killer.

During sentencing, Judge Philip Katz said: "It is not possible to overstate the impact of Cher's brutal and shocking murder on those who knew her."

The trial heard that Thibou had lunged at a man, Adjei Isaac, with a "huge" knife during the fight on 25 August - family day at the carnival.

As Mr Isaac tried to avoid being stabbed, they fell on to a group of people who included Ms Maximen.

As Thibou tried to get to his feet, he swung the knife at Ms Maximen and stabbed her in her groin as she tugged at his coat and kicked out at him to protect her daughter.

Thibou was found guilty of murder, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to 20-year-old Mr Isaac with intent, and having an offensive weapon.

Shakeil Thibou has been jailed for 29 years

TJ Jacobs, the godmother to Ms Meximen's daughter, said: "We hope that it acts as a deterrent to people that choose to come along to any occasion or any event and act so recklessly and without thought in situations that can lead to just such catastrophic events."

Asked about Ms Maximen's daughter, her grandmother Vyleen Maximen, said she was "growing up lovely".

She added: "She's happy. She's smiling constantly.

"We don't forget about her mummy. We speak about her mum all the time."

TJ Jacobs, left, hopes the sentence will deter others

Judge Katz said Thibou's "brazen" attack had been carried out in broad daylight in front of families and the police.

He said instead of just enjoying a fun day together, Cher's daughter "witnessed her mother being murdered in front of her".

He added: "One of the dreadful ironies of this case is, that as the afternoon wore on and the atmosphere at the Carnival became tense and less friendly, Cher voiced her concerns to one of the few police officers in the immediate area where she, her friends and their children were located. She made it clear that she would not tolerate any threat to her daughter's safety."

Judge Katz said it was a case of "young men, intoxicated by drink and drugs, determined to involve themselves in violence".

He added: "The police were totally outnumbered as the violence spun out of control."

He said watching the police body-worn footage was "terrifying".

Addressing Thibou, Judge Katz said: "When violence broke out, you were quick to move to join in.

"You were so fired up that you didn't hesitate to use your knife.

"You were so brazen that it was carried out in front of police officers."

Thibou, who wore a medical face mask and blue beanie hat in the dock, looked straight ahead throughout.

'Loving, laughing, playing, crying'

Ms Maximen, who was born in Bristol, was described by her family as a "bubbly, vivacious and creative" mother.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Cher's grandmother Vyleen Maximen said: "Cher was my first born grandchild, my friend.

"I held you in my arms when you were born. Thirty-two years of loving, laughing, playing, crying and holidaying with you. I will no longer have that pleasure ever again. I won't see you get married or having more children.

"The hole in my heart will never be filled.

"I will never hear your key in my front door shouting 'hello nanny'.

"Life will never be the same ever."

His brother Sheldon Thibou, 25, was found guilty of violent disorder and assaulting PC Oliver Mort, who tried to intervene.

A third brother, Shaeim Thibou, 22, was cleared of violent disorder but convicted of assaulting PC Mort.

Shaeim was sentenced to six months in jail, suspended for 18 months; Sheldon will be sentenced at a later date.