A man has been found guilty of murdering a mother in front of her daughter at Notting Hill Carnival. Cher Maximen, 32, was stabbed to death with a zombie knife after becoming caught up in gang violence near the Trellick Tower on Golborne Road.
Shakeil Thibou, 20, attempted to stab Adjei Isaac, now 20, before knifing Ms Maximen moments later after she was knocked off her feet on 25 August. Ms Maximen, a model and clothing designer, died six days later from her injuries on 31 August.
Mr Isaac was able to retreat and move his body away from the knife and survived by ‘centimetres’. Shakeil claimed he was trying to defend himself from Mr Isaac and said he stabbed Ms Maximen by mistake but the jury convicted him of murder, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to Mr Isaac and having an offensive weapon, namely a knife.
Shakeil’s brothers Sheldon Thibou, 25, and Shaeim Thibou, 22, assaulted a police officer in fighting nearby. Sheldon denied but was convicted of violent disorder and assault on an emergency worker. Shaeim denied but was convicted of assaulting PC Oliver Mort but was cleared of violent disorder.
The jury deliberated for 50 hours and 33 minutes. Judge Philip Katz, KC, excused them from future jury service for the rest of their lives saying they had to watch ‘very difficult’ footage. Members of Ms Maximen’s family sobbed and shouted ‘yes’ as Shakeil was convicted of murder.
Prosecutor Edward Brown, KC, earlier said: ‘Cher Maximen was killed and the knife, the weapon used to kill her, was wielded by the first defendant, Shakeil Thibou. Cher Maximen was visiting the carnival too. She has a daughter aged three and her daughter was very close by when her mother, Cher, was attacked and killed.
‘Cher Maximen suffered a terrible injury from which she died. The knife wielded by the defendant you will see – not physically here in court as the defendant got rid of it soon after- you will see camera footage of the fatal attack itself. 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.
Violence broke out at around 5.48pm between the defendants and at least two other males close to where Ms Maximen was standing with her group. A court heard how Cher was stabbed with a ‘Rambo-style knife’ and suffered a cardiac arrest, after losing 20 units of blood and one of her lungs collapsed.
Sheldon Thibou was holding a stun gun in his right hand at the time. He also had another, possibly sharp or pointed, object in his left hand. Shakeil had that huge knife with him, described by one witness as a ‘zombie’ knife. He lunged with the knife directly at Adjei Isaac’s torso, and repeatedly.
Isaac tried to grab hold of Shakeil’s arms and in those moments recoiled away from the knife. The knife, with no thanks to the first defendant, just missed him, and only by a very closest of margins. What would have happened had he not instinctively recoiled, pulling his stomach away from the knife, does not need any imagination.
Shakeil Thibou, 20, appeared at the Old Bailey alongside his brothers Sheldon, 25, and Shaeim, 22. You will see that Cher Maximen had been knocked to the ground in the immediate events as Adjei Isaac recoiled from Shakeil Thibou’s knife. In his efforts to save himself from the knife attack, he had come into contact with Cher.
It is clear that she had simply got caught up in the events. Shakeil stumbled over the ladies who were sitting down, including Cher but steadied himself on the hoarding. Cher Maximen in those moments grabbed hold of Shakeil Thibou’s coat, pulled it, managing to get partially to her feet.
She appeared to attempt to strike out with her hand at Shakeil who was of course still holding that knife in his hand. Cher took a step towards him and at the same time attempted to raise her right leg towards him. It was at this moment that Shakeil Thibou raised the knife directly towards Cher Maximen and deliberately thrust it towards her, stabbing her in the groin.
The injuries inflicted on Ms Maximen were fatal- the defendant had killed her. It was a truly shocking attack – and indeed regarded as such by those around it. Ms Maximen fell backwards to the ground. Shakeil Thibou ran away – with his brothers.
Shakeil’s face showed ‘pure anger’ when he stabbed Ms Maximen, Mr Brown said. Police had reported that the crowds on the festival’s ‘family day’ were becoming ‘semi-hostile’ in the late afternoon. When Sheldon was arrested on 27 August a stun gun was found along with machete knives.
Shakeil was arrested in a hostel where large knives were found. He has no previous convictions but one caution for a drug offence. Sheldon two convictions for possession of cannabis in 2020 and dangerous driving in July 2024. Shakeil, of Masbro Road, Hammersmith, denied but was convicted of murder and having an offensive weapon.
He was cleared of attempted murder in relation to Mr Isaac but convicted of attempting to cause GBH with intent. Sheldon, of Star Road, Fulham, was convicted of violent disorder and assault on an emergency worker. Shaeim, of Charleville Road, West Kensington, denied but was cleared of violent disorder but was convicted of assault on an emergency worker.
Shakeil will be sentenced on 16 May while his brothers will be dealt with on a date to be fixed.
In conclusion, the case of Cher Maximen’s murder is a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of gang violence and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. The conviction of Shakeil Thibou and his brothers brings some measure of justice to the victim’s family, but it also highlights the need for continued efforts to address the root causes of violence and to protect innocent lives.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What happened to Cher Maximen?
A: Cher Maximen, 32, was stabbed to death with a zombie knife after becoming caught up in gang violence near the Trellick Tower on Golborne Road.
Q: Who was convicted of her murder?
A: Shakeil Thibou, 20, was convicted of murder, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to Adjei Isaac, and having an offensive weapon.
Q: What was the motive behind the attack?
A: The motive behind the attack is not explicitly stated, but it is believed to be related to gang violence.
Q: What is the sentence for Shakeil Thibou?
A: Shakeil Thibou will be sentenced on 16 May.
About The Author
