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Telegraph
2 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
The Notting Hill Carnival deserves to die
With organisers of the annual Notting Hill Carnival reportedly worried its future is in doubt without urgent government funding, we are at the 'reform or die' stage for the event. At the end of last summer's Notting Hill Carnival, Metropolitan Police revealed that eight people were stabbed during the 'celebrations' and a total of 334 arrests were made – most for possession of an offensive weapon and drug-related offences. One of those stabbed was 32-year-old mother Cher Maximen, who later died after being attacked with a zombie knife by 20-year-old Shakeil Thibou in front of her three-year-old daughter on the Carnival's so-called 'Family Day'. During the latest edition of the weekend event, which is billed as Europe's biggest street carnival, thousands of Met police officers were deployed under difficult circumstances due to the sheer density of crowds and the scale of criminality; fifty of these officers were injured. The reality is the Notting Hill Carnival, which in its earlier stages was a hippie-style festival with a strong emphasis on cultural unity and fighting discrimination, has descended into an annual hotbed of violence and debauchery. Its disorderly nature is demonstrated by the fact that, in recent years, elderly residents on the Carnival route have been transported to the seaside as part of a Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council scheme to provide them with 'respite'. I suspect that some of the creators of Notting Hill Carnival, which was originally an indoor event focused on improving UK race relations following the 1958 riots in the area, would be turning in their grave over the sorry depths that it has plunged to. As currently constituted, it is not remotely sustainable. The weekend event is arguably the most high-profile and well-known expression of Caribbean culture in modern Britain. But the level of knife-related violence, public degeneracy and aggression towards police officers means that it now does far more harm than good for race relations. In fact, it only serves to reinforce the view that the UK's black Caribbean population is a culturally broken one. The fundamental reform of Notting Hill Carnival is long overdue. While I would not want to see such an iconic event completely wiped from the British cultural calendar, it must radically change. It cannot continue to exist in its current form. It should be relocated to a more spacious area in the name of public safety; Hyde Park is one option. Holding it as a streamlined celebration based on ticketed entry and robust private security would provide a safer environment as well as being kinder to the taxpayer. This would make it more appealing for family-friendly visitors and return the Notting Hill Carnival to being a culturally enriching event of national pride and community spirit. Those who wish to protect it in its current form and trivialise the levels of violence at the event are signing its death warrant. If they want it to survive, they must accept that it needs to completely change course.
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
This is the horrific moment my granddaughter was murdered in front of her daughter, 3 – the image will haunt me forever
JUST moments earlier Cher Maximen had been laughing and dancing with her three-year-old daughter, Niketa. But lying on the pavement in the middle of the carnival the mum was now fighting for her life as she bled out. 11 11 11 After a fight broke out between some men, amid the scuffle, the mum-of-one was stabbed in the groin. And her grandmother, Vyleen, 68, received the devastating call that she was fighting for her life in hospital. Tragically, six days later, the 32-year-old passed away from her injuries. In May this year, Shakeil Thibou, 20, was found guilty of her murder and handed a 29 year sentence. Now, grandmother of seven, Vyleen, is raising awareness of knife crime and calling for Notting Hill Carnival to be moved to a secure spot. She says: 'Cher had her whole life ahead of her with Niketa. 'It was snatched away from her because of senseless violence. 'That monster hasn't shown an ounce of remorse for taking her life and leaving Niketa motherless. 'No child should have to witness their mother dying in front of them. 'It's horrific. MUM'S PLEA Harvey Willgoose's mum calls for knife arches in every school in Britain after son was stabbed to death on way to lesson 'Now I want to see the carnival moved to a park or area that can be monitored or controlled better, so thugs cannot commit these horrific crimes and slip away, unnoticed, into the crowd.' Since he was a child, Cher had attended the annual summer carnival, celebrating her Caribbean heritage. A clothes designer and part-time model, she loved to showcase her latest creations. Vyleen, from Bristol, says: 'Cher had dreams of starting her own fashion label. 'She loved going to the carnival each year and covering her hair and face in glitter. 'She'd always have some whacky costume, too. 'The year before she'd worn a cat suit and shiny Dr Martens.' Last summer, Cher decided to take her daughter, Niketa, for the first time on the carnival's family day. 11 11 11 Vyleen recalls: 'She was so excited to show Niketa the performers and celebrate the culture.' When Vyleen's phone rang that night, it wasn't Cher's voice on the other end. She explains: 'I answered, thinking it was her calling as her ID flashed up, but it was a nurse. 'When she told me Cher'd been injured, I panicked.' Vyleen raced to the St Mary's Hospital in London where a police officer informed her Cher had been stabbed in the groin at the carnival with her attacker still at large. Thankfully, Niketa was unharmed and being cared for by her godmother, TJ, 39. Vyleen says: 'Soon after a consultant appeared and explained that Cher had lost a lot of blood and that they were trying to stabilise her. 'When the nurse took me in to see her I broke down seeing her hooked up to multiple machines.' Over the next 24 hours, Cher underwent two major operations in an attempt to stem the internal bleeding she'd suffered. During the second, Vyleen was told by the surgeon that she might not make it. Afterwards, she was induced into a coma and hooked up to a ventilator. Vyleen says: 'I was told she'd suffered enormous injuries but that they'd do everything in their power to save her. 'I prayed she'd pull through.' Meanwhile, her liaison officer informed her that they'd arrested three men, but couldn't tell her anymore. Over the next few days, while family members rallied around, Vyleen begged her granddaughter to wake up. Eventually, six days on from the attack, she was told Cher wouldn't survive. She says: 'The consultant told me she had no quality of life, that her brain had been starved of oxygen for too long. 'Still, his words didn't sink in. I wasn't ready to say goodbye.' That day family members came to be with Cher and at 5:50am, Cher took her last breath. Vyleen says: 'It still didn't seem real. 'That night, TJ broke the news to Niketa and I went to see her the next morning. 'She was staring into the distance. Was so traumatised by what she'd witnessed. 11 11 11 'When she told me 'Mummy was bleeding and I couldn't save her', I had to fight back tears. I told her 'You were so brave and your mummy loves you so much'. 'My heart broke for her.' Vyleen took Niketa back to live with her in Bristol and planned Cher's funeral. Soon after, three brothers were charged in connection with Cher's murder. Two months on, in October 2024, the family held her funeral. Vyleen says: 'She was taken to the church in a horse and cart. 'The church was so full, some people had to stand outside. 'It was lovely to see how many lives Cher had touched. 'As they carried her out, Diamonds by Rihanna was was a fitting tribute. 'When we reached the grave to lay roses inside, Niketa broke down. 'Knowing she'd never see her mum again made my heart ache. It wasn't fair.' In March this year Vyleen attended the Thibou brothers' trial. The Old Bailey heard that a fight had broken out between some men, and officers intervened when they spotted one, Sheldon Thibou, 25, had an illegal stun gun. The officer was assaulted and in the scuffle, Cher was knocked to the floor. She grabbed one of the brother's coats to get back up and kicked out at him to defend her and Niketa. That's when Shakeil Thibou, 20, pulled out a knife and stabbed her in the groin. She fell down and bled out in front of Niketa. Six weeks on, Shakeil was found guilty of murder, attempted GBH on 20-year-old Adjei Isaac with intent and possession of an offensive weapon. Vyleen says: 'When the judge sentenced him to a minimum of 29 years, I broke down in relief. 'I had justice for my girl at last.' Shaeim Thibou, 22, was found guilty of assaulting an emergency worker, PC Oliver Mort and given an 18-month suspended sentence. Sheldon Thibou was found guilty of violent disorder. He had previously pleaded guilty to the possession of an illegal stun gun and assaulting PC Mort, who tried to intervene. He's due to be sentenced at a later date. Vyleen adds: 'I'm now using my voice to speak out against knife crime. 'I didn't even hear from the organisers of the carnival following Cher's death. 'It's appalling. 'I would like the carnival to be better monitored so other innocent lives are protected. 'As for Niketa, now four, I was granted guardianship. She's the bravest little girl. 'We keep a life-sized cut out of Cher in the hallway, so every time she comes home, she sees her mum. 'We talk about her constantly and miss her every day. 'Thankfully, her beautiful spirit lives on in her precious daughter.'
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Iconic UK festival attracting millions each year ‘faces axe without more cash as it makes urgent appeal for help'
THE FUTURE of an iconic UK festival could be in jeopardy unless the government steps in organisers have warned. Millions travel to the Notting Hill Carnival in London each year to join in with the iconic, colourful celebrations. 1 In a leaked letter to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy festival chiefs asked for an urgent handout to keep the world famous event going, the BBC reports. It comes after a review of the festival identified "critical public safety concerns" that needed more money to address. Notting Hill Carnival attracts a whopping 2 million revellers a year but has come under fire recently after public safety concerns were raised. Carnival Chair Ian Comfort said in the letter: "The April 2025 London Assembly report, external highlights the increasing strain placed on the Metropolitan Police during large-scale public events. "Limited resourcing has restricted the police service's ability to respond to growing operational pressures." He went on to say that without immediate additional funding "risks compromising public safety and jeopardising the future of the carnival." The full findings of the safety review have not been made public yet. Held annually over the August Bank Holiday weekend last year's Carnival saw a woman tragically stabbed to death amid chaotic scenes. Cher Maximen, who was 32, was with friends and her daughter just off the Carnival parade route on Sunday, 25 August 2024 when she was caught up in a violent fight involving multiple men. Maximen was stabbed and tragically died in hospital six days later. The shocking incident sparked widespread concern around the safety of Notting Hill Carnival. Notting Hill revellers hit streets in fabulous feathers as party gets underway The Met Police's Assistant Commissioner has raised concerns over a "mass casualty event" due to density of the massive crowds attracted by the festivities. Without funding to help make the event safer chief's have warned it may not be able to go ahead. In the leaked letter carnival chair Ian Comfort asked for further funding to support increased stewarding and crowd management. Mr Comfort has reportedly not asked for a specific amount of funding. If his request is granted it will mark the first time direct government funding has been provided to the event. During last year's carnival around 7,000 police officers were on duty to help keep festival goers safe.
Glasgow Times
17-05-2025
- Glasgow Times
‘Justice has been served', say family of woman killed at Notting Hill Carnival
Shakeil Thibou, 20, stabbed Cher Maximen, 32, in the groin as her young daughter was close by on August 25 last year. Judge Philip Katz KC said Thibou's 'brazen' attack had been carried out in broad daylight in front of families and the police. Speaking outside court, Ms Maximen's family said 'no sentence is long enough' for her killer. Her sister TJ Jacobs added: 'We're glad that justice has been served. 'We hope that it acts as a deterrent to people that choose to come along to any occasion or any event and act so recklessly and without thought in situations that can lead to just such catastrophic events.' Asked about Ms Maximen's daughter, her grandmother said she is 'growing up lovely'. She added: 'She's happy. She's smiling constantly. Cher Maximen died after being stabbed in the groin (Met Police/PA) 'We don't forget about her mummy. We speak about her mum all the time. 'She's thriving… she's got her village around her, her community… she's doing well.' Thibou, who wore a medical face mask and blue beanie hat in the dock, looked straight ahead throughout the hearing. Moments before he stabbed Ms Maximen, he had carried out an 'equally horrifying attack' on a man who was backing away from him, his Old Bailey trial heard. Thibou was found guilty of murder and also convicted of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to 20-year-old Adjei Isaac with intent, and having an offensive weapon. His brother Sheldon Thibou, 25, was found guilty of violent disorder and assaulting Pc Oliver Mort, who tried to intervene. A third brother, Shaeim Thibou, 22, was cleared of violent disorder but convicted of assaulting Pc Mort. Judge Katz said it was 'not possible to overstate the impact' of Ms Maximen's death on her family and friends. 'Cher Maximen took her three-year-old daughter to a children's day at the Notting Hill Carnival,' he said. 'Instead of them both just enjoying a fun day together, that child witnessed her mother being murdered in front of her. 'The police were totally outnumbered as the violence spun out of control. 'Just watching the body-worn footage was terrifying. 'When violence broke out, you were quick to move to join in. 'You were so fired up that you didn't hesitate to use your knife. 'You were so brazen that it was carried out in front of police officers.' The family of Cher Maximen after Shakeil Thibou was jailed for life (Emily Pennink/PA) Before the judge delivered his sentence, Thibou shook hands with and spoke to his brother Shaeim through the glass panels of the dock. The trial heard how a disturbance broke out at about 5.48pm between the defendants and at least two other males close to where Ms Maximen was standing with her group. The crowd parted as Sheldon Thibou got into a physical confrontation with the males, prompting Pc Mort to step in to break it up, jurors had heard. Sheldon Thibou was holding a stun gun as he and Shaeim hit out at the officer, the court heard. Meanwhile, Shakeil Thibou thrust a 'huge' knife repeatedly towards Mr Isaac's stomach, only missing him because the victim drew back. Ms Maximen was knocked to the ground after Mr Isaac came into contact with her, then managed to partially get to her feet, prosecutor Ed Brown KC said. She appeared to lift her right leg at Shakeil Thibou who raised the knife directly towards her and deliberately stabbed her in her groin, jurors heard. The defendants, of Hammersmith, west London, had denied the charges against them although Sheldon Thibou admitted having the stun gun. In his defence, Shakeil Thibou claimed he picked up the knife at the carnival and acted in self-defence against Mr Isaac. He claimed the death of Ms Maximen was an accident. Philip Evans KC, defending, said Thibou had expressed 'regret' and 'remorse' for what happened. In a victim impact statement read to the court, grandmother Vyleen Maximen said: 'Cher was my first born grandchild, my friend. 'I held you in my arms when you were born. Thirty-two years of loving, laughing, playing, crying and holidaying with you. I will no longer have that pleasure ever again. I won't see you get married or having more children. 'The hole in my heart will never be filled. 'I will never hear your key in my front door shouting 'hello nanny'. 'Life will never be the same, ever.' The family of Cher Maximen and supporters outside the Old Bailey in central London (Emily Pennink/PA) Shaeim Thibou was handed a six-month jail term suspended for 18 months. Judge Katz told him he had gone 'too far' when he assaulted the police officer. 'This is a warning. If you think loyalty to your brothers enables you to break the law, you are very much mistaken,' he added. Sheldon Thibou will be sentenced at a later date. Emma Currie, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'This is a profoundly tragic case where a young child lost her mother, on what was meant to be a family friendly day for them both at the carnival. 'Cher was caught up in the panicked crowd caused by the actions of the Thibou brothers, who robbed her of her life and the chance to see her little girl grow up. 'The brothers' actions showed no regard for the hundreds of people around them. 'Our thoughts remain with Cher's family and friends as they deal with this unimaginable loss.'
South Wales Guardian
16-05-2025
- South Wales Guardian
‘Justice has been served', say family of woman killed at Notting Hill Carnival
Shakeil Thibou, 20, stabbed Cher Maximen, 32, in the groin as her young daughter was close by on August 25 last year. Judge Philip Katz KC said Thibou's 'brazen' attack had been carried out in broad daylight in front of families and the police. Speaking outside court, Ms Maximen's family said 'no sentence is long enough' for her killer. Her sister TJ Jacobs added: 'We're glad that justice has been served. 'We hope that it acts as a deterrent to people that choose to come along to any occasion or any event and act so recklessly and without thought in situations that can lead to just such catastrophic events.' Asked about Ms Maximen's daughter, her grandmother said she is 'growing up lovely'. She added: 'She's happy. She's smiling constantly. Cher Maximen died after being stabbed in the groin (Met Police/PA) 'We don't forget about her mummy. We speak about her mum all the time. 'She's thriving… she's got her village around her, her community… she's doing well.' Thibou, who wore a medical face mask and blue beanie hat in the dock, looked straight ahead throughout the hearing. Moments before he stabbed Ms Maximen, he had carried out an 'equally horrifying attack' on a man who was backing away from him, his Old Bailey trial heard. Thibou was found guilty of murder and also convicted of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to 20-year-old Adjei Isaac with intent, and having an offensive weapon. His brother Sheldon Thibou, 25, was found guilty of violent disorder and assaulting Pc Oliver Mort, who tried to intervene. A third brother, Shaeim Thibou, 22, was cleared of violent disorder but convicted of assaulting Pc Mort. Judge Katz said it was 'not possible to overstate the impact' of Ms Maximen's death on her family and friends. 'Cher Maximen took her three-year-old daughter to a children's day at the Notting Hill Carnival,' he said. 'Instead of them both just enjoying a fun day together, that child witnessed her mother being murdered in front of her. 'The police were totally outnumbered as the violence spun out of control. 'Just watching the body-worn footage was terrifying. 'When violence broke out, you were quick to move to join in. 'You were so fired up that you didn't hesitate to use your knife. 'You were so brazen that it was carried out in front of police officers.' The family of Cher Maximen after Shakeil Thibou was jailed for life (Emily Pennink/PA) Before the judge delivered his sentence, Thibou shook hands with and spoke to his brother Shaeim through the glass panels of the dock. The trial heard how a disturbance broke out at about 5.48pm between the defendants and at least two other males close to where Ms Maximen was standing with her group. The crowd parted as Sheldon Thibou got into a physical confrontation with the males, prompting Pc Mort to step in to break it up, jurors had heard. Sheldon Thibou was holding a stun gun as he and Shaeim hit out at the officer, the court heard. Meanwhile, Shakeil Thibou thrust a 'huge' knife repeatedly towards Mr Isaac's stomach, only missing him because the victim drew back. Ms Maximen was knocked to the ground after Mr Isaac came into contact with her, then managed to partially get to her feet, prosecutor Ed Brown KC said. She appeared to lift her right leg at Shakeil Thibou who raised the knife directly towards her and deliberately stabbed her in her groin, jurors heard. The defendants, of Hammersmith, west London, had denied the charges against them although Sheldon Thibou admitted having the stun gun. In his defence, Shakeil Thibou claimed he picked up the knife at the carnival and acted in self-defence against Mr Isaac. He claimed the death of Ms Maximen was an accident. Philip Evans KC, defending, said Thibou had expressed 'regret' and 'remorse' for what happened. In a victim impact statement read to the court, grandmother Vyleen Maximen said: 'Cher was my first born grandchild, my friend. 'I held you in my arms when you were born. Thirty-two years of loving, laughing, playing, crying and holidaying with you. I will no longer have that pleasure ever again. I won't see you get married or having more children. 'The hole in my heart will never be filled. 'I will never hear your key in my front door shouting 'hello nanny'. 'Life will never be the same, ever.' The family of Cher Maximen and supporters outside the Old Bailey in central London (Emily Pennink/PA) Shaeim Thibou was handed a six-month jail term suspended for 18 months. Judge Katz told him he had gone 'too far' when he assaulted the police officer. 'This is a warning. If you think loyalty to your brothers enables you to break the law, you are very much mistaken,' he added. Sheldon Thibou will be sentenced at a later date. Emma Currie, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'This is a profoundly tragic case where a young child lost her mother, on what was meant to be a family friendly day for them both at the carnival. 'Cher was caught up in the panicked crowd caused by the actions of the Thibou brothers, who robbed her of her life and the chance to see her little girl grow up. 'The brothers' actions showed no regard for the hundreds of people around them. 'Our thoughts remain with Cher's family and friends as they deal with this unimaginable loss.'
