Two men jailed after ‘violent and senseless’ knife attack in Westminster
Two men have been sentenced to a total of nine years and six months in prison after stabbing a 27-year-old in the shoulder and back.
Joshua Lenga, 20, from Talbot Road, Westminster, and Hanif El-Hafedi, 19, from Holders Hill Drive, Hendon, both pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm wounding with intent at an earlier hearing at Southwark Crown Court.
On Tuesday, November 16, El-Hafedi was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and Lenga to four years and six months’ imprisonment.
The court heard that on April 8, the two men took a taxi to Shirland Road, in Westminster.
The pair were armed with large knives.
At around 5:20pm they got out of the taxi and walked into the Amberley Estate, where they saw a 27-year-old man, who they believed was from a rival gang.
Lenga and El-Hafedi attacked the man, stabbing him in the shoulder and back, before being chased away by a group who came from a nearby building.
One of the knives used in the attack was thrown away nearby and later handed in to the police.
The victim was treated in hospital and was later discharged.
A second knife was found in a hotel room in Bayswater which had been used by both men and they were charged a few days later.
Detective Constable Louis Prior, of the Central West Command Unit, said: “This was a violent and senseless attack that could have had much more serious consequences.
“The disregard both El-Hafedi and Lenga displayed in carrying out this attack in a public place in broad daylight is staggering and displays their conceit in believing that they would get away with it.
“However, due to the weight of evidence compiled as a result of this diligent investigation, they had little choice but to admit their guilt at court.”
Police are urging anyone with information about a crime, or about someone they suspect to be carrying a weapon or involved in organised crime to contact them or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Pictured top: Hanif El-Hafedi (left) and Joshua Lenga (right)