Three Birmingham men were part of a frenzied mob who launched a “brutal” stabbing attack that left a teen with serious injuries. City men Pious Adabie, Jaiden Grant and Eniola Akingbesote were part of an armed gang of eight who chased the teen through a busy shopping area and either produced weapons or stabbed the 19-year-old victim.
Birmingham man Pious Adabie was one of two to launch the frenzied attack, which took place in Coventry city centre in October 2023. The 19-year-old victim was found in Upper Precinct, a busy shopping area in Coventry, with serious injuries but due to the quick actions of members of the public and emergency services his life was saved.
Coventry Police say one of their largest investigations pieced together the sequence of events to identify all those involved, although the reasons for what happened still remain unclear. Eight men- all aged between 19 and 21 – were jailed at Warwick Crown Court for more than 75 years combined after the attack on October 6 last year.
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Police told of how the male victim had been at a music event when afterwards he was chased by the group. Initially, he was attacked by Prince Lhamy and Pious Adabie who struck the teenager with weapons.
The victim tried to flee but only managed to run a short distance before he was set upon again, with more of the group joining in. Alexander Nzola, Jaiden Grant, Zachary Williams, Kennedy Ikwuemesi, Eniola Akingbesote and Hossame Madmoune either produced weapons or kicked him before they all fled.
An investigation saw an extensive review of CCTV and phone records and resulted in all eight men being arrested within weeks of the attack at locations across the West Midlands, London and Brighton.
At Warwick Crown Court yesterday, July 11, the following eight men were sentenced to:
• Williams, aged 19, of Paradise Street, Coventry, was jailed for 22 years after being found guilty of attempted murder.
• Adabie, aged 20, of Cliveland Street, Birmingham, jailed for 21 years after being found guilty of attempted murder.
• Lhamy, aged 21 of Whitefriars Lane, Coventry, jailed for 16 years after being found guilty of wounding with intent, possession of a bladed weapon and violent disorder.
• Ikwuemesi, aged 21, of Whitefriars Lane, Coventry, was jailed for four years and nine months affter being found guilty of wounding and violent disorder.
• Madmoune, aged 19, of no fixed address, was jailed for four years and nine months after being found guilty of wounding and violent disorder.
• Nzola, aged 21, of Bishop Street, Coventry, jailed for 4 years after being found guilty of wounding and violent disorder.
• Grant, aged 19, of Staniforth Street, Birmingham, was jailed for 4 years after being found guilty of wounding and violent disorder.
• Akingbesote, aged 21, of Bagot Street, Birmingham, was given an 18-month community order after admitting possession of an offensive weapon.
Following sentencing, detective chief inspector Adam Jobson, from Coventry LPA, said: “This was extreme violence and these men have quite rightly lost their freedom. There’s no justification for carrying a weapon and it’s just sheer fortune the victim was not even more seriously injured.
“We won’t accept this type of behaviour in our city and we’ll continue to take action to get knives off the streets. We’ll always look to prosecute those involved in carrying them or involved in serious violence.”