Knife Attack Shocks Basildon Nightclub Crowd
Fight Erupts at Festival Leisure Park
Chaos broke out around 4am on Saturday, 2 October, at Unit 7 nightclub in Basildon’s Festival Leisure Park. Wagner Silva, 20, was part of a group of about 15 people when a fight suddenly flared up. After pausing to assess the situation, Silva pulled out a large silver knife hidden in his trousers and charged at two men.
Two Victims Stabbed but Survive
The men tried to flee but were caught. One suffered a deep stab wound to his leg, while the other was injured in the arm and leg. Thankfully, neither victim faced life-threatening or permanent injuries. The entire violent encounter lasted just 90 seconds.
Swift Arrest and Harsh Sentence
Silva, from Starboard Way, London, was quickly identified via CCTV footage and arrested the afternoon after the attack at a nearby Travelodge. At Basildon Crown Court in November, he pleaded guilty to two counts of grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, possession of a bladed article, and possession of cannabis.
On 17 February, Silva was sentenced to three years and six months for each GBH charge and 12 months for carrying the knife. All sentences will run concurrently. No extra penalty was handed for the cannabis charge.
Police Warned of Serious Danger
“This incident could have ended up being much worse for Silva’s victims and indeed himself,” said PC Will Belsham of Basildon CID.
“It happened in front of hundreds of people outside a nightclub in Festival Leisure Park. Thanks to CCTV from the park’s control room, officers quickly identified Silva.
“The fact Silva had a concealed knife on this night out shows he was intent on committing crime. This could have ended much worse for everyone involved.”
