Cher Maximen's Killer Found Guilty of Murder
Man from Brook Green stabbed mother in front of her toddler
Shakeil Thibou (centre) after being found in his hideout. Picture: Met Police
April 10, 2025
A 20-year-old man from Brook Green who stabbed to death a young mother in front of her three-year-old daughter has been found guilty of murder at the Old Bailey this Wednesday (9 April).
As well as murder, Shakeil Thibou of Masbro Road was convicted of attempted GBH with intent and possession of an offensive weapon. The jury’s guilty verdict on the murder charge was given by a 10-2 majority after 50 hours of deliberation at the end of the four-week trial.
32-year-old Cher Maximen was with her friends and her daughter on Golborne Road close to the parade route of the Notting Hill Carnival on Sunday, 25 August 2024 when a fight group out between two groups of men just before 6pm. She inadvertently became caught up in the melee.
CCTV and police officers’ body worn video footage shown during the trial shows Shakeil’s Thibou’s brothers, Sheldon Thibou and Shaeim Thibou, along with an unidentified male, fighting with Adjei Isaac. Moments before Cher was stabbed, Sheldon can be seen wielding an illegal stun gun. An officer who intervened to try to break up the fight was assaulted by both brothers. Shakeil Thibou then tried to stab Mr Isaac in the abdomen with a large knife and, in an attempt to avoid the blow, Mr Isaac collided with Cher and knocked her to the ground. She grabbed the coat of Shakeil Thibou in an attempt to get up. She then kicked out to protect her child at which point he stabbed her in the groin
She went into cardiac arrest and was given emergency treatment by police officers at the scene before the arrival of paramedics and was then taken to hospital but died six days later. Described as a devoted mother and known affectionately as Princess Cher and Cher Bear to her friends, a family member said that her loss had ‘filled our hearts with immeasurable sadness.
Body worn camera footage shows Shakeil Thibou poised to stab with a large knife. Picture: Met Police
The three brothers and an associate fled the scene. Shakeil Thibou who brought a knife to the Carnival, walked calmly away changing his outer clothing.
Sheldon Thibou fighting with another man prior to the stabbing. Picture: Met Police
Footage captured on body worn cameras was put through facial recognition software, revealing a match for Sheldon and Shaeim Thibou. This led to the identification of Shakeil Thibou as the person who stabbed Cher.
Several addresses were raided in an attempt to find the trio and eventually Shakeil was found lying on the floor under a sleeping bag in the early hours of Tuesday, 27 August. During a search of the property, they found a distinctive bag he’d been seen wearing on footage captured at Carnival.
His jacket had been discarded at the scene after it came off in the struggle. It was sent for forensic testing and DNA found on it was a 1 in a billion match for Shakeil – further proof that he had committed the stabbing. The court heard he disposed of the knife in a drain as he left the carnival.
Shakeil Thibou denied taking a knife to the carnival and claimed that he had found it on the ground and was acting in self-defence during his confrontation with Mr Isaac. This claim was undermined when another knife was found in a search of his room. He told the court he had no intention of harming Char and was unaware she was there.
Vyleen Maximen, Cher’s grandmother, said, “Cher, my first born grandchild, my friend. I held you in my arms when you were born. 32 years of loving of laughing, playing, crying and holidaying with you. I will no longer have that pleasure ever again. Not seeing you get married or have more children.
Cher Maximen
“Life will never be the same. Ever. We just have to live life, the best that we can and I will raise your daughter Cher, until my last breath. I will never hear your key opening my front door and shouting ‘Hello Nanny’.”
TJ Jacobs, relative of Cher and Godmother to Cher’s daughter, said: “We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the jury for helping ensure justice is served for our beloved Cher Maximen – affectionately known to us as Princess Cher, Ri Ri, Churbs, Churburt, Cher Bear and Bear.
“What happened to us has completely turned our lives upside down. Losing Cher has filled our hearts with immeasurable sadness.
“Cher was pure magic – radiant, loving, passionate, and kind. She brought creativity, style and flawless flair to everything she did. She was a dedicated mother, a devoted granddaughter, niece, sister, and friend. This senseless act of violence has cut short a life that had so much more to offer the world and was only just beginning to blossom. Like many young adults, life hadn’t always been easy for Cher, but she was just discovering who she was and who she could become.
“Even when life felt unfair, Cher remained kind, caring, and a fierce protector of those she loved – qualities that were evident even in her final moments. Her smile lit up every corner of every room, and her laugh echoed through hallways. Her journey was an example of resilience against the odds, showing that no matter the challenges, young people can emerge with strength, determination, and the will to strive for better.
“We will never recover from this loss, but we are determined to ensure that Cher’s daughter – now being raised by her beloved great-grandmother (Cher’s much-loved grandmother), along with her village of aunties, uncles, and Godparents – receives the love, support, and care she needs as we navigate life without her. Cher’s four-year-old daughter was her everything – her reason, her drive, and now her legacy. Cher’s unwavering devotion to her role as a mother was evident to all who knew her.
“Our family is devastated, but we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the emergency responders, medical professionals, and law enforcement officers involved in this case.
“Knife crime continues to devastate communities across the UK. The government must urgently address the root causes – the systemic failures in education, children’s services, youth services, mental health services impacting the many disengaged and disenfranchised young people. Offering them the tools to overcome challenges rather than fall victim to them. This is not just about reducing crime; it’s about saving lives, restoring hope, and building safer, stronger communities.”
Shakeil Thibou. Picture: Met Police
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Gammampila, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said, “My heart goes out to Cher’s family and friends. She was a loving mother who went to Notting Hill Carnival to enjoy what should have been a carefree day in the company of friends and her young daughter. Her life was ended in the most senseless way.
“In stark contrast, Shakeil Thibou went to Carnival not to be part of the celebration, but to engage in violence. Why else would he have arrived armed with a large knife and seeking confrontation?
“His reckless and dangerous actions took Cher’s life and narrowly avoided killing a second man too.
“The investigation team has worked diligently and tirelessly to build a case against him. Their work has made sure Cher’s family and friends have been able to get justice.
“They had to go through the pain of witnessing her final moments throughout the trial. I commend their bravery and the dignified way they have handled this tragedy. I hope that today’s result brings some small amount of closure for them.”
Emma Currie, a senior prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution Service's London Homicide Unit, said, "This is a profoundly tragic case where a young child lost her mother, on what was meant to be a family-friendly day for them both at the carnival.
"Cher was caught up in the panicked crowd caused by the actions of the Thibou brothers, who robbed her of her life and the chance to see her little girl grow up."
Sheldon Thibou, 25, of Star Road, West Kensington and Shaeim Thibou, 22, Charleville Road, West Kensington stood trial alongside their brother.
Sheldon was found guilty of violent disorder. He had also previously pleaded guilty to the possession of an illegal stun gun.
Sheldon and Shaeim were both found guilty of assaulting an emergency worker. Shakeil and Shaeim will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, 16 May. Sheldon will be sentenced in due course at a court that is yet to be confirmed.
TJ Jacobs and Vyleen Maximen added, “We would also like to say a special thank you to:
“Police officers Alex Gammampila, Charlotte Carter, Andy Miller, Kevin Newton, Dan Hobbs and Dave Davies.
“Emma Currie and Peter Hutton from the Crown Prosecution Service.
“Prosecuting Counsel Edward Brown KC and Phillip McGhee.
“Sharon Macaulay, Ravandeep Khela and Wendy Rixon from Taylor Rose Solicitors.
“Barrister Oliver Wooding from St John’s Chambers.
“Gulizar Candemir from the Children’s Team at Freeman Solicitors.
“Barrister Alison Brooks from Staple Inn Chambers.
“These individuals have supported us tirelessly throughout this unimaginable experience. Their efforts and dedication have been a source of comfort during this dark and painful time.”
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