A man who fatally stabbed a mother in front of her three-year-old daughter at Notting Hill Carnival has been jailed for life.
Shakeil Thibou was convicted of murdering Cher Maximen at the Old Bailey last month.
On Friday, the 20-year-old was jailed at the Old Bailey for life with a minimum term of 29 years.
Ms Maximem, 32, was with friends when she became caught up in a fight involving multiple men – and died in hospital from her injuries six days later.
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Moment murderer was arrested
Following Thibou’s conviction, Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila said: “Cher was a loving mother who went to Notting Hill Carnival to enjoy what should have been a carefree day … her life was ended in the most senseless way.
“In stark contrast, Shakeil Thibou went to Carnival not to be part of the celebration, but to engage in violence. Why else would he have arrived armed with a large knife and seeking confrontation?”
The attack, which was caught on camera, happened just off the parade route on 25 August last year.
Cher’s relative TJ Jacobs, who is godmother to her daughter, said: “What happened to us has completely turned our lives upside down. Losing Cher has filled our hearts with immeasurable sadness.
“This senseless act of violence has cut short a life that had so much more to offer the world and was only just beginning to blossom.”
Shakeil Thibou’s attack was caught on camera. Pic: Metropolitan Police
Speaking to Sky News, her family described her as a vivacious young woman who grew up in Bristol and then London, finding her feet working with people in music and entertainment.
Cher’s cousin Lawrence Hoo said: “It’s just this energy she had, she lit up the room. If you walked into a space, you’d know that Cher was there. Her energy itself would fill the room. She was a very bright light.”
Mr Hoo said the idea of the toddler witnessing her mother on the ground punctuates the sadness the family feel with anger.
“The feeling of loss is overwhelming, but so is the feeling of rage,” he said. “She [Cher’s daughter] is aware that on that day, something happened to her mother.”
Cher Maximen
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