James Bascoe-Smith: Stabbed teen tells court of brain damage and paralysis

James Bascoe-Smith said "every day I wake up and know this will be forever"

A teenager who effectively "died" on the street after being stabbed has described the impact on his life.

James Bascoe-Smith was 16 when he was attacked by Leon Rashid, 20, from Thornton Heath, and Taiquane Lewis, 19, from Kennington, both in south London.

They were convicted at the Old Bailey last month of conspiracy to murder, and today jailed for life.

Mr Bascoe-Smith told the sentencing hearing he now has brain damage, uses a wheelchair and needs a full-time carer.

He was repeatedly knifed by Rashid and Lewis in Brixton in February 2021 while he was checking whether a bicycle was safe for his mother to ride.

The court heard how his heart stopped and he effectively died in the street near his home, only to be brought back to life by medics.

He endured a significant period - about 50 minutes - during which there was a lack of blood and oxygen to the brain, leaving him with profound and life-changing injuries.

Taiquane Lewis (left) and Leon Alan Rashid were convicted at the Old Bailey last month

The jury was told he was the "entirely innocent victim" of a gang stabbing sparked either by a provocative online drill video or as "tit-for-tat" revenge for a previous attack.

During the hearing, a pre-recorded video was played in which he asked why the defendants targeted him and whether they now "feel bad".

James Bascoe-Smith now uses a wheelchair and needs full-time care

He said: "When I was stabbed by these people I remember crying out for my mum and pleading for them to stop.

"I do not remember much and I could not communicate for six months after the attack.

"They have stopped me from driving, going on my first holiday with my friends to celebrate my 18th birthday, gymnastics coaching, working and from becoming a music producer as I was studying this in college.

"I cannot get out of bed on my own, I can't even brush my own teeth and I need a lot of medication to help me with my recovery."

He added: "I am grateful that the doctors saved my life but living like this is hard, I miss my friends, I miss my old life, every day I wake up knowing this is how I will be forever".

Rashid will serve a minimum of 14 years and Lewis 13.

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