Eight men have been convicted over a savage attack which left a teenager with multiple stab wounds in Coventry city centre.
Officers carried out swift enquiries after the 19-year-old was discovered with serious injuries in Upper Precinct and quickly identified all those involved.
The victim had been at a music event when – for reasons which still remain unclear – he was chased by a group armed with weapons during the early hours of 6 October last year.
He was stamped on and injured with knives as he was twice attacked while trying to escape.
In the first attack, Prince Lhamy and Pious Adabie struck the teenager with weapons before he managed to run a short distance.
He was then set upon again, with more of the group joining in. Alexander Nzola, Jaiden Grant, Zachary Williams, Kennedy Ikwuemesi and Hossame Madmoune either produced weapons or kicked him before they all fled.
The victim was found just after 3.30am and rushed into hospital in a serious condition. Thankfully, despite multiple serious injuries, swift action by members of the public and the emergency services saved his life.
An investigation was started by officers from Coventry Local Policing Area (LPA) – and is believed to be one of the biggest locally-led enquiries since police adopted our new policing model last Spring.
Police examined CCTV, phone records and carried out other enquiries which led to a series of warrants, as officers detained all those involved within weeks of the despicable attack.
Lhamy, Adabie, Eniola Akingbesote, Nzola, Williams and Grant were arrested within the Midlands with further investigations leading us to Ikweumesi in London and Madmoune in Brighton.
Following a trial which ended on Friday, the eight who have been convicted are:
• Lhamy, aged 21 of Whitefriars Lane, Coventry – guilty of wounding with intent, possession of a bladed weapon and violent disorder.
• Adabie, aged 20, of Cliveland Street, Birmingham – found guilty of attempted murder
• Nzola, aged 21, of Bishop Street, Coventry – found guilty of wounding and violent disorder
• Akingbesote, aged 21, of Bagot Street, Birmingham – admitted possession of an offensive weapon
• Williams, aged 19, of Paradise Street, Coventry – found guilty of attempted murder
• Grant, aged 19, of Staniforth Street, Birmingham – found guilty of wounding and violent disorder
• Ikwuemesi, aged 21, of Whitefriars Lane, Coventry – found guilty of wounding and violent disorder
• Madmoune, aged 19, of no fixed address – found guilty of wounding and violent disorder
All eight defendants will be sentenced on 11 July.
Detective Chief Inspector Adam Jobson, from 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.”