The man who fatally stabbed Cher Maximen, a 32-year-old mother described as “bubbly, vivacious and creative,” has been sentenced to life in prison for her murder.
The fatal incident took place in front of her three-year-old daughter during Notting Hill Carnival last year in the U.K..
On Friday, Shakeil Thibou, 20, of Kensington in west London, was ordered by the Old Bailey to serve a minimum of 29 years behind bars for the brutal killing that shocked a community and devastated a family.
Maximen was attacked with a zombie knife on August 25, 2024, during a chaotic brawl between young men under the influence of drugs and alcohol on what was meant to be a joyous Family Day at Europe’s biggest street festival.
According to the prosecution, Thibou lunged at another man, Adjei Isaac, with the large knife during the fight.
In the fray, both men stumbled into a crowd that included Ms. Maximen and her child. As Thibou tried to regain his balance, he swung the weapon and stabbed Maximen in the groin as she tried to shield her daughter—pulling at his coat and kicking at him in a desperate act of protection.
She was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery but died six days later from her injuries.
“It is not possible to overstate the impact of Cher’s brutal and shocking murder,” said Judge Philip Katz KC, who presided over the case. “Her daughter witnessed her mother being murdered in front of her.”
The court heard that before the attack, Ms. Maximen had expressed concerns to police officers about safety, expressing her desire to protect her child. Judge Katz noted the irony and tragedy of that moment, given the fatal violence that followed.
In addition to murder, Thibou was found guilty of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to Isaac and carrying an offensive weapon. He showed no emotion as the sentence was delivered.
“No Sentence is Long Enough”
Speaking outside court, Maximen’s family said “justice had been served”, but acknowledged that no punishment could ever replace the vibrant life that was taken from them.
“We hope this acts as a deterrent to people who choose to attend events like Carnival and behave recklessly,” said TJ Jacobs, the godmother to Cher’s daughter.
In a heartbreaking victim impact statement, Cher’s grandmother Vyleen Maximen spoke of the family’s devastation and the void left behind.
“Thirty-two years of loving, laughing, playing, crying and holidaying with you. I will no longer have that pleasure ever again… Life will never be the same ever.”
Despite the trauma, Vyleen shared that Cher’s daughter is “growing up lovely”, adding, “She’s happy. She’s smiling constantly. We don’t forget about her mummy. We speak about her mum all the time.”
A Life Cut Short
Cher Maximen was born in Bristol and remembered for her creativity and spirit. She was a mother, granddaughter, and friend whose life was cut short in an act of senseless violence.
Judge Katz described Thibou’s actions as “brazen” and “terrifying”, highlighting the disturbing reality that the attack happened in broad daylight, in front of both families and police officers, amid a crowd meant to be celebrating unity and culture.
