Man guilty of murdering mum with zombie knife in front of daughter, 3, at Notting Hill Carnival

A zombie man has been found guilty of a woman who was with her three-year-old daughter at family day, when she was fatally . Today, a jury found 20-year-old Shakeil Thibou guilty of killing mum-of-one Cher Maximen by majority verdict, when she was caught up in “truly shocking” violence as the carnival was in full swing on Sunday, August 25 last year.

He stabbed jurors had been told. He stood trial having denied her murder and the attempted murder of 20-year-old Adjei Isaac, and having an offensive weapon. Judge Philip Katz KC directed jurors that he would accept a majority verdict, which at least 10 of them agreed.

The jury had already been in retirement for 47 hours and 49 minutes. He was also convicted of attempting to cause grievous bodily to 20-year-old Adjei Isaac with intent, and having an offensive weapon.

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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 after the jury deliberated for 50 hours and 33 minutes.

There was a shout of “yes” from Ms Maximen’s family in court as the verdicts were delivered. The Old Bailey heard that a disturbance broke out at about 5.48pm between the defendants and at least two other males close to where Ms Maximen was standing with her group.

Ms Maximen's grieving family paid emotional tribute after she was killed, saying: “Cher was beautiful inside and out. She has a lot of family and has many friends. She was a good mother and protector of family and close friends.”

During the trial, prosecutor Ed Brown KC said: “Moments before he stabbed Cher Maximen, Shakeil Thibou carried out an equally horrifying attack – on a man who was already retreating from him and from his knife. He was lucky.”

The jurors had been shown police body-worn video of the fast-paced incident. Mr Brown said a disturbance began at about 5.48pm between the defendants and at least two other males close to where Ms Maximen was standing with her group.

The crowd parted as Sheldon and Shaeim Thibou allegedly got into a physical confrontation with the males, prompting Pc Mort to step in to break it up. Sheldon Thibou was holding a stun gun as the pair hit out at the officer, the court was told. Meanwhile, Shakeil Thibou thrust a “huge” knife repeatedly towards Mr Isaac’s stomach, only missing him because the victim drew back, the court heard.

Mr Brown said: “He lunged with the knife directly at Adjei Isaac’s torso, and repeatedly so. Adjei Isaac tried to grab hold of Shakeil Thibou’s arms and in those moments – and they are just moments – recoiled away from the knife. The knife, with no thanks to the first defendant, just missed him, and only by the very closest of margins.

"What would have happened had he not instinctively recoiled, pulling his stomach away from that knife, does not need any imagination. You see that Cher Maximen had been knocked to the ground in the immediate events as Adjei Isaac recoiled from Shakeil’s knife.

"In his efforts to save himself from the knife attack, Isaac had come into contact with Cher. It is clear that she had simply got caught up in the events. Shakeil stumbled over the ladies sitting down, including Cher, but steadied himself on the hoarding. Cher Maximen in those moments grabbed hold of Shakeil Thibou’s coat, pulled it and managed to get partially to her feet.

"She appeared to attempt to strike out with her hand at Shakeil who of course was still holding that knife in his hand. Cher Maximen took a step towards him and at the same time appeared to raise her right leg out at him.

"At that moment, Shakeil Thibou raised the knife directly towards Cher Maximen and deliberately stabbed her in her groin. The injuries inflicted on Ms Maximen were fatal – the defendant had killed her. It was a truly shocking attack – and regarded as such by those around it.”

Ms Maximen fell backwards to the ground and Shakeil Thibou and his brothers ran away, jurors were told. Mr Brown told the court that hundreds of people had been in the area, which was was just off the carnival route.

After the fatal incident, Shakeil Thibou allegedly disposed of the knife. Mr Brown told jurors: “It is a shocking weapon to have, let alone to use, but use it the defendant did and with devastating consequences. He killed Cher Maximen with it.”

The judge has set sentencing for Shakeil Thibou on May 16.