Shakeil Thibou who murdered Cher Maximen at Notting Hill carnival Jailed for Life

LONDON — The man who fatally stabbed Cher Maximen, 32, in front of her three-year-old daughter at Notting Hill Carnival has been sentenced to life in prison.

Shakeil Thibou, 20, from Kensington, west London, was ordered to serve a minimum of 29 years behind bars during his sentencing at the Old Bailey.

Cher Maximen was stabbed with a zombie knife on 25 August 2023, during Family Day at the carnival. A fight broke out between a group of men near her, and in the chaos, she was tragically caught in the violence.

The court heard that Thibou lunged at another man, Adjei Isaac, with the large blade. As Isaac tried to escape, he collided with Maximen, knocking her to the ground. Thibou then delivered the fatal stab wound to her chest.

She was rushed to hospital but sadly died six days later from her injuries.

Judge Philip Katz KC described the killing as “brutal and shocking,” adding:

“It is not possible to overstate the impact of Cher’s murder on those who knew her.”

Cher’s young daughter witnessed the attack, intensifying the trauma for her family and the community.

The incident has reignited concerns over knife crime in London and the use of zombie knives, which are known for their extreme and dangerous design.

This story is developing, and updates will follow as more details become available.