Eight charged after teenager stabbed and beaten in terror attack in city center

Eight men have been sentenced after a teenager was stabbed and beaten in a savage attack in the city centre. The 19-year-old victim, who has not been named by police, was found with serious injuries in Coventry’s Upper Precinct in the early hours of October 6 last year.

The victim was at a music event when – for reasons that remain unclear – he was followed by an armed gang. He was beaten on the legs and slashed by knives as he tried to escape the thugs in a double whammy.

In the first attack, Prince Lhamy and Reverend Adabie hit the teenager with weapons before he managed to flee a short distance. He was then attacked again by several gang members.

Alexander Nzola, Jaiden Grant, Zachary Williams, Kennedy Ikweumesi and Hossame Madmoune either pulled out guns or kicked him before they all fled, police said. The victim was found just after 3:30.

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He was rushed to hospital in serious condition. Despite multiple serious injuries, the quick action of the public and emergency services saved his life.

Police reviewed CCTV, phone records and carried out other inquiries which led to a number of warrants. Officers eventually apprehended everyone involved within weeks of the attack.

Lhamy, Adabie, Eniola Akingbesote, Nzola, Williams and Grant were arrested in the Midlands and further investigations led police to Ikweumesi in London and Madmoune in Brighton. All eight were convicted following a trial that ended on Friday, May 17.

Adabie, 20, of Cliveland Street, Birmingham, was found guilty of attempted murder. Williams, 19, of Paradise Street, Coventry, was found guilty of attempted murder.

Lhamy, 21, of Whitefriars Lane, Coventry, was found guilty of wounding with intent, possession of a bladed weapon and violent disorder. Nzola, 21, of Bishop Street, Coventry was found guilty of wounding and violent disorder. Akingbesote, 21, of Bagot Street, Birmingham, admitted possessing an offensive weapon.

Grant, 19, of Staniforth Street, Birmingham, was found guilty of wounding and violent disorder. Ikwuemesi, 21, of Whitefriars Lane, Coventry was found guilty of wounding and violent disorder.

Madmoune, 19, of no fixed address, was found guilty of wounding and violent disorder. All eight defendants will be sentenced on July 11.

Chief Inspector Adam Jobson, from Coventry LPA, said: “Our officers worked quickly and efficiently to quickly find those involved in this savage attack. There is no place for such extreme violence in this city and fortunately the victim was not seriously injured.

“We will not tolerate the carrying of weapons or such disturbances in Coventry and these people will rightly spend time behind bars. These beliefs will undoubtedly have an impact on their lives in the near future.

“Thankfully, such excessive violence in Coventry is rare and does not reflect on this great city where so many live, work and socialize happily and safely.”