Two Jailed After Brutal Stabbing in Croydon
Two men have been locked up following a violent attack last summer that left an 18-year-old with multiple stab wounds. Lewis West, 18, from Ealing, was sentenced to 11½ years at Croydon Crown Court on 5 February after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent (section 18 wounding).
Mason Bird, 20, of Croydon, was handed six years and nine months for the same charge. Both men also received concurrent sentences for violent disorder (three years) and possession of an offensive weapon (14 months).
Knife Rampage in Broad Daylight
On 11 July 2019, West and Bird teamed up with 19-year-old Kye Manning — who tragically died during the incident — to hunt down their 18-year-old victim in Croydon. Armed with large knives and even a sword, the trio flagged down a taxi to Brighton Road, where they spotted their target and charged at him.
The victim was stabbed four times but managed to escape, only to be chased by all three attackers. During the chase, Manning was also stabbed. He collapsed at the scene and later died despite emergency crews’ desperate efforts.
Chased Down, Caught, and Unmasked
West and Bird fled immediately after the attack. Bird returned shortly with his mother and was arrested on the spot. West tried to go underground, cutting off his long hair to avoid detection, but was found hiding at a cousin’s home on 1 August.
The victim managed to get to a nearby address where an ambulance was called. He survived his injuries and is now recovering.
Chilling Evidence and a Grim Warning
- DNA on a knife handle from the scene matched West.
- Snapchat videos revealed the attackers planning the stabbing, threatening their victim beforehand.
Detective Chief Inspector John Massey, who led the investigation, said: “It remains unclear why West and Bird set out to attack their victim but there was clearly a personal dispute between the parties. This was a premeditated and brutal attack which took place in broad daylight, witnessed by terrified members of the public.”
“When their friend was fatally stabbed, they didn’t help him — they left him to die on the street. This horrifying event shows the deadly risks of carrying knives. We urge anyone with information about weapon carriers to come forward or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
