Former students brought to justice three years on from violent disorder in the Midlands

Four ex-students have being sentenced to a total of 17 years for violent disorder following an incident in Leicester in November 2021.

A fight which broke out during the early hours of Thursday, November 4, 2021, involved weapons being used including knives and a baseball bat.

A man, who was 18 at the time, suffered stab wound injuries in the incident requiring hospital treatment.

After the suspects left the scene, police enquiries carried out over the following few months included CCTV analysis, phone work and public appeals which led to identifications being made.

On Thursday, following a six-week trial, which concluded last month, four were sentenced in connection with the incident. The defendants were all students at De Montfort University in Leicester at the time of the incident.

Destiny Ojo, 21, of Warland Road, Plumstead, was sentenced to seven years imprisonment after being found guilty of violent disorder, attempted grievous bodily harm and committing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Habib Lawal, 21, of Lumley Close, Bexley, was sentenced to five years after being found guilty of violent disorder, attempted grievous bodily harm and committing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Ridwanulahi Raheem, 21, of George Mathers Road, Lambeth, was sentenced to three years after being found guilty of violent disorder and possession of a bladed article.

And Joshua Davies-Ero, 21, of Springfield Road, Bexley, was sentenced to two years after being found guilty of violent disorder

A fifth defendant, Justin Asamoah, 22, of Rawnsley Avenue, Merton has previously pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article. He is due to be sentenced on Friday.

The incident happened at around 3am just over three years ago. Ojo, Lawal, Raheem and Davies-Ero had been out together in Leicester city centre when they came across another group.

A verbal altercation ensued between the groups in New Park Street in Leicester city centre, before a large fight broke out between the men. Other members of the public were in the area.

Footage showed the four defendants arming themselves with weapons. Davies-Ero was seen to be carrying a crutch, Ojo was seen with a baseball bat and Lawal was carrying what was believed to be a knife. Raheem was also later seen carrying a large knife.

The fight lead to another male who was in the other group, and had been involved in the fighting, being thrown to the ground and attacked. The victim suffered four stab wounds to his body.

Police and East Midlands Ambulance Service attended the scene where he was taken to hospital for treatment before later being discharged.

Detective Constable Sean Downey said: “This incident highlights the serious danger of violent disorder. It is extremely fortunate that further injury was not caused to the people involved or to other members of the public who witnessed the incident. This could have been a very different investigation.

“Following the disorder, a full investigation took place with suspects being identified at different stages through CCTV enquiries, phone work and public appeals. Further investigative work then led to the charges being made.”

Pictured top: Custody images (left to right) of: Destiny Ojo, Habib Lawal, Ridwanulahi Raheem and Joshua Davies-Ero