Nine Men Locked Up Over Deadly Maidstone Brawl
Nine men have been jailed for their roles in a violent street brawl in Maidstone that ended with the tragic death of 21-year-old Andre Bent.
Nightclub Fight Turns Fatal
Andre Bent was fatally stabbed in the early hours of Sunday, 25 August 2019, after a brutal fight broke out on the streets following a nightclub event.
Seventeen-year-old Vasilios Ofogeli, who travelled from London with friends to Maidstone to watch a musical performance, was found guilty of Andre’s murder last month at Maidstone Crown Court.
The jury saw CCTV footage showing violent scenes of people punching, kicking, and hitting each other with belts after the club closed just before 3am.
Social Media Footage Helps Police Crack Case
In the aftermath, a flood of mobile phone videos emerged on social media, aiding detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate to identify those involved.
Over days and weeks, nine men were arrested and all pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
Sentences for the Nine
- Ryan Lowe-White, 22, Hornsey – 1 year 8 months
- Ali Aziz, 24, no fixed address – 1 year 10 months
- Nathaniel Small, 22, Hornsey – 2 years
- Mohamed Gelani, 24, Hornsey – 1 year 9 months
- Darien Thompson-Cox, 21, Hornsey – 2 years 2 months
- Yusuf Aweys, 20, New Southgate – 1 year 11 months
- Jerral Johnson-Lowe, 26, Hornsey – 2 years
- Kaline Riley, 23, Hornsey – 1 year 9 months
- Rheo Lawrence, 29, Watford – 1 year 11 months
They were sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Friday 24 April 2020.
Ofogeli Faces Sentencing for Murder and More
Apart from being convicted of Andre Bent’s murder, Vasilios Ofogeli was also found guilty of two attempted murders and wounding with intent after stabbing three other men during the fracas.
His sentencing is set for Wednesday 20 May.
Police Hit Back Against Violence
“These nine men came from London to Maidstone to watch a musical performance but brought with them a shocking level of violence,” said Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Patrick Milford.
“While none of these men dealt the fatal blow, Andre Bent’s life would still be intact if the fight never happened.
“These sentences send a clear warning – violence will not be tolerated in Kent, and we will keep pursuing justice relentlessly.”
