Man Found Guilty of Murdering Mother at Notting Hill Carnival
A 20-year-old man has been convicted of fatally stabbing a mother in front of her toddler during last summer’s Notting Hill Carnival chaos.
Shakeil Thibou, from Hammersmith and Fulham, was found guilty at the Old Bailey of murdering 32-year-old Cher Maximen. He was also convicted of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.
Tragedy Strikes During Festival Fun
Cher was enjoying the carnival on 25 August 2024 with her three-year-old daughter and friends when a violent brawl erupted near Golborne Road, just off the parade route. In the confusion, she was stabbed in the groin with a fatal 12cm wound. Despite medical efforts, Cher died six days later on 31 August.
“Cher was a loving mother who went to Notting Hill Carnival to enjoy a carefree day. Her life was ended in the most senseless way,” said Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila.
“In stark contrast, Shakeil Thibou came armed with a knife and violent intentions. His reckless actions robbed Cher of her life and nearly caused more tragedy.”
CCTV captured Thibou attempting to stab another man moments before turning on Cher, who had been knocked to the ground during the fight. In a desperate bid to protect her child, she kicked out, prompting Thibou to stab her.
Police arrived quickly, but sadly Cher never recovered.
Family Heartbreak and Call to Action
Cher’s grandmother, Vyleen Maximen, gave this emotional tribute:
“Cher, my first grandchild, my friend. I held you in my arms at birth. Life will never be the same. I will raise your daughter until my last breath.”
TJ Jacobs, Cher’s relative and godmother to her daughter, said:
“Cher was magic – radiant, loving, and kind. Her smile lit up every room. She was just beginning to flourish as a mother, sister, and friend.”
“We are determined that Cher’s daughter, now in the care of her great-grandmother and family, gets all the love she deserves.”
The family also urged urgent government action on knife crime, highlighting systemic failures hitting young people and vulnerable communities.
The Manhunt and Investigation
CCTV and bodycam footage were vital in the probe. They showed Shakeil Thibou trying to stab a man, then attacking Cher amid a brawl involving his brothers, Sheldon and Shaeim Thibou, and an unidentified man.
Sheldon, 25, was caught brandishing an illegal stun gun and later convicted of violent disorder and possession of a prohibited weapon. Both he and Shaeim, 22, admitted assaulting an emergency worker after attacking an officer trying to break up the fight.
Shakeil was found hiding under a sleeping bag in west London during a manhunt on 27 August. Forensic evidence linked him definitively to the crime scene.
Sentencing and Family Thanks
Shakeil and Shaeim Thibou will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on 16 May. Sheldon’s sentencing will follow at a later date.
Cher’s family thanked the Metropolitan Police, Crown Prosecution Service, and their legal team for their support through the ordeal.
“Their efforts have been a comfort during this dark time,” said TJ Jacobs. “We will never recover from this loss, but we will carry Cher’s legacy forward through her daughter.”
This heart-wrenching case highlights the deadly toll knife crime is still taking on communities across the UK.
