Man charged with murder of mum at carnival

Three brothers have appeared at the Old Bailey in relation to the murder of a 32-year-old mother who was fatally stabbed at Notting Hill Carnival last month.

Cher Maximen was stabbed in the groin with a machete as she tried to intervene in a fight on 25 August, the court heard. She died in hospital six days later.

Shakiel Thibou, 20, from Hammersmith, west London, appeared via video-link from HMP Belmarsh, charged with murder, violent disorder and possession of a knife.

His brothers Sheldon Thibou, 24, and Shaeim Thibou, 21, appeared via video-link from HMP Wandsworth facing lesser charges.

Prosecutor Alistair Richardson told the Old Bailey a fight broke out close to Ms Maximen and her group, involving the brothers.

Shakiel Thibou attempted to stab a man near Ms Maximen with a "large machete-style knife", the court heard.

The mother tried to intervene in the fight and was stabbed in the area of her groin, Mr Richardson said.

She suffered a cardiac arrest and was taken to hospital, where she underwent two major operations.

"In summary she was found to have extensive injuries and extensive blood loss," the prosecutor said.

"Those injuries proved to be unsurvivable."

Shakiel Thebou is also charged with possessing a knife in a public place, and violent disorder. Sheldon Thibou, also from Hammersmith, and Shaeim Thibou, from Fulham, are both charged with violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker.

All three defendants were remanded into custody.

A provisional trial date was set for 24 February 2025.

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