Lives turned ‘upside down’ after senseless Notting Hill killing of mum in front of her young daughter
Tributes have flowed for a mum who was stabbed to death in front of her three-year-old daughter at the Notting Hill Carnival – as the man who was caught on camera carrying out the attack is convicted of murder.
Cher Maximen, who was 32, was with friends and her daughter just off the carnival parade route on Sunday, August 25 last year when she was caught up in a fight involving multiple men. She was stabbed and died in hospital six days later.
Yesterday, at the Old Bailey, Shakeil Thibou, 20, of Masbro’ Road, Hammersmith, was convicted of Cher’s murder, attempted GBH with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.
Vyleen Maximen, Cher’s grandmother, said: “Cher, my first born grandchild, my friend. I held you in my arms when you were born. Thirty-two years of loving, of laughing, playing, crying and holidaying with you. I will no longer have that pleasure ever again. Not seeing you get married or have more children.
“Life will never be the same. Ever. We just have to live life the best that we can and I will raise your daughter Cher, until my last breath. I will never hear your key opening my front door and shouting ‘Hello Nanny’.”
TJ Jacobs, relative of Cher and Godmother to Cher’s daughter, said: “We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the jury for helping ensure justice is served for our beloved Cher Maximen – affectionately known to us as Princess Cher, Ri Ri, Churbs, Churburt, Cher Bear and Bear.
“What happened to us has completely turned our lives upside down. Losing Cher has filled our hearts with immeasurable sadness.
“Cher was pure magic – radiant, loving, passionate and kind. She brought creativity, style and flawless flair to everything she did.
“This senseless act of violence has cut short a life that had so much more to offer the world and was only just beginning to blossom.
“Like many young adults, life hadn’t always been easy for Cher, but she was just discovering who she was and who she could become.
“Even when life felt unfair, Cher remained kind, caring and a fierce protector of those she loved – qualities that were evident even in her final moments. Her smile lit up every corner of every room, and her laugh echoed through hallways.
“We will never recover from this loss, but we are determined to ensure that Cher’s daughter receives the love, support, and care she needs as we navigate life without her.
“Cher’s daughter was her everything – her reason, her drive, and now her legacy. Cher’s unwavering devotion to her role as a mother was evident to all who knew her.”
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “My heart goes out to Cher’s family and friends.
“She was a loving mother who went to Notting Hill Carnival to enjoy what should have been a carefree day in the company of friends and her young daughter. Her life was ended in the most senseless way.
“In stark contrast, Shakeil Thibou went to Carnival not to be part of the celebration, but to engage in violence. Why else would he have arrived armed with a large knife and seeking confrontation?
“His reckless and dangerous actions took Cher’s life and narrowly avoided killing a second man, too.
“Cher’s family had to go through the pain of witnessing her final moments throughout the trial. I commend their bravery and the dignified way they have handled this tragedy.”
The court heard that Cher had spent the afternoon with her daughter and her friends among a crowd in Golborne Road which was just off the parade route.
Just before 6pm, a fight broke out in the crowd. CCTV and police officers’ body worn video footage shown during the trial shows Shakeil attempting to stab a man in the abdomen.
Cher was caught up in the melee and knocked to the floor, grabbing onto Shakeil’s coat as she tried to get back to her feet.
In an effort to defend herself and her daughter, Cher kicked out and was stabbed in the groin as she did so, falling to the ground.
Officers rushed to her aid and provided emergency medical treatment until the arrival of paramedics. She was transported to hospital in a critical condition, but despite the efforts of medical teams she died on August 31.
Video footage showed that moments before Cher was stabbed. Shakeil’s brothers – Sheldon Thibou and Shaeim Thibou, along with an unidentified male, fought with one man.
Sheldon can be seen wielding an illegal stun gun. An officer who intervened to try to break up the fight was assaulted by both brothers.
The three brothers and an associate fled the scene.
An investigation started immediately after the incident, with officers running images captured on bodyworn video cameras through facial recognition software, revealing a match for Sheldon and Shaeim Thibou. Further research identified Shakeil.
A significant manhunt was launched which saw officers search a number of addresses across west London.
Shakeil was found lying on the floor under a sleeping bag when officers found him in the early hours of August 27. During a search of the address they found a distinctive bag he’d been seen wearing on footage captured at Carnival.
His jacket had been discarded at the scene after it came off in the struggle. It was sent for forensic testing and DNA found on it was a one in a billion match for Shakeil – further proof that he had committed the stabbing.
Sheldon Thibou, 25, of Star Road, Hammersmith and Shaeim Thibou, 22, of Charleville Road, Hammersmith, stood trial alongside their brother.
Sheldon was found guilty of violent disorder. He had also previously pleaded guilty to the possession of an illegal stun gun. Sheldon and Shaeim were both found guilty of assaulting an emergency worker.
Shakeil and Shaeim will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, May 16.
Sheldon will be sentenced in due course.
Pictured top: Cher Maximen (Picture: The Met)
