Man accused of murdering Cher Maximen at Notting Hill Carnival to face trial next year

A man accused of murdering a mother in front of her young daughter in an attack at the Notting Hill Carnival is due to go on trial in February next year.

Shakiel Thibou, 20, is said to have stabbed 32-year-old Cher Maximen in the groin with a machete-like knife during an outbreak of violence at the annual carnival in west London.

Ms Maximen, who attended the event with friends and her three-year-old daughter, suffered significant blood loss and died in hospital six days later.

Thibou appeared at the Old Bailey on Monday along with his brothers Sheldon Thibou (24) and Shaeim Thibou (21).

Shakiel Thibou is accused of the murder of Ms Maximen, the court heard, and is to be charged with a second count of attempted murder of another person, violent disorder and possession of a knife in a public place.

His brothers are accused of violent disorder and assaulting an emergency medical technician, while Sheldon Thibou is also charged with possession of a stun gun.

Ms Maximen, a model and fashion designer, was stabbed near Trellick Tower in Kensal Town when a fight broke out shortly before 6pm.

Prosecutor Alistair Richardson said Shakiel Thibou is accused of arming himself with a “machete knife” when he allegedly attempted to stab an unidentified man.

He is accused of “stabbing Cher Maximen in the groin, causing her to collapse.”

His brothers are accused of “attacking police officers to prevent them from intervening,” it says.

After her death in hospital, her family issued a statement saying: “Cher was beautiful inside and out. She has a large family and many friends.”

“She was a good mother and protector of her family and close friends.”

Judge Mark Lucraft KC, the Recorder of London, remanded all three brothers in custody pending a hearing on November 28.

The trial, which is expected to last four weeks, has been scheduled for February 24 next year.

Shakiel Thibou, of Masbro Road in Hammersmith, west London, and Sheldon Thibou, of Star Road in Hammersmith, gave no indication of a plea at their first appearance at the magistrates' court, while Shaeim Thibou, of Charleville Road in Fulham, south-west London, entered a plea of ​​not guilty.