Eight guilty after teenager stabbed and beaten in city centre horror attack

Eight men have been convicted after a teenager was stabbed and beaten in a savage city centre attack. The 19-year-old victim, who was not named by police, was found with serious injuries in Coventry's Upper Precinct in the early hours of October 6 last year.

The victim had been at a music event when he was – for reasons which remain unclear – chased by an armed gang. He was stamped on and sliced by knives while trying to escape the thugs in a double beating.

In the first attack, Prince Lhamy and Pious Adabie struck the teenager with weapons before he managed to run away a short distance. He was then set upon again by more members of the gang.

Alexander Nzola, Jaiden Grant, Zachary Williams, Kennedy Ikweumesi and Hossame Madmoune either produced weapons or kicked him before they all fled, police said. The victim was found just after 3.30am.

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He was rushed to hospital in a serious condition. Despite multiple serious injuries, swift action by members of the public and the emergency services saved his life.

Police examined CCTV, phone records and carried out other enquiries which led to a series of warrants. Officers eventually detained all those involved within weeks of the attack.

Lhamy, Adabie, Eniola Akingbesote, Nzola, Williams and Grant were arrested within the Midlands, with further investigations leading police to to Ikweumesi in London and Madmoune in Brighton. All eight were convicted following a trial which ended on Friday, May 17.

Adabie, 20, of Cliveland Street, Birmingham was found guilty of attempted murder. Williams, 19, of Paradise Street, Coventry was also found guilty of attempted murder.

Lhamy, 21, of Whitefriars Lane, Coventry, was found guilty of wounding with intent, possession of a bladed weapon and violent disorder. Nzola, 21, of Bishop Street, Coventry was found guilty of wounding and violent disorder. Akingbesote, 21, of Bagot Street, Birmingham, admitted possession of an offensive weapon.

Grant, 19, of Staniforth Street, Birmingham, was found guilty of wounding and violent disorder. Ikwuemesi, 21, of Whitefriars Lane, Coventry was found guilty of wounding and violent disorder.

Madmoune, 19, of no fixed address was found guilty of wounding and violent disorder. All eight defendants will be sentenced on July 11.

Det Chief Insp Adam Jobson, of Coventry LPA, said: “Our officers worked quickly and effectively to promptly trace those who were involved in this savage attack. There is no place for such extreme violence in this city and luckily the victim was not more seriously injured.

“We won’t condone the carrying of weapons, or such disorder, within Coventry and these men will quite rightly spend time behind bars. These convictions will undoubtedly have an impact on their lives for the foreseeable future.

“Thankfully, such excessive violence in Coventry is rare, and not reflective of this great city where so many happily and safely live, work and socialise.”