Violent gang launched 'savage' attack on teenage boy in Coventry city centre
A violent Coventry gang has been convicted over a 'savage' city centre attack which left a teenager seriously injured. Police said the group of eight men set upon a teenage boy near Upper Precinct.
Detectives said the 19-year-old victim had been at a music event when, for reasons which remain unclear, he was chased by a group armed with weapons during the early hours of October 6, 2023. He was found with serious injuries on Upper Precinct.
He was stamped on and injured with knives as he was twice attacked while trying to escape, said West Midlands Police. Officers from the Coventry Local Policing Area (LPA) managed to quickly identify all those involved.
In the first attack, Prince Lhamy and Pious Adabie struck the teenager with weapons before he managed to run a short distance towards Upper Precinct. He was then set upon again, with more of the group joining in, said West Midlands Police.
Alexander Nzola, Jaiden Grant, Zachary Williams, Kennedy Ikwuemesi and Hossame Madmoune either produced weapons or kicked him before they all fled. Police said the teenage victim was found in a serious condition at around 3.30am.
Thankfully, despite multiple serious injuries, help from members of the public and the emergency services saved his life, said West Midlands Police. Police launched an investigation into the attack examining CCTV and phone records which led to a series of warrants being executed in the West Midlands and as far as London and Brighton.
Lhamy, Adabie, Eniola Akingbesote, Nzola, Williams and Grant were arrested in the Midlands. Police detained Ikweumesi in London and Madmoune in Brighton.
A total of eight men have been convicted following a trial which ended on Friday (May 17). Lhamy, 21, of Whitefriars Lane, was found guilty of possession of a bladed weapon, violent disorder and wounding with intent, said West Midlands Police.
Adabie, 20, of Cliveland Street, Birmingham and 19-year-old Williams, of Paradise Street, were both found guilty of attempted murder, said West Midlands Police. Nzola, 21, of Bishop Street, was found guilty of violent disorder and wounding.
Akingbesote, 21, of Bagot Street, Birmingham admitted possession of an offensive weapon and Grant, 19, of Staniforth Street, Birmingham, Ikwuemesi, 21, of Whitefriars Lane, and 19-year-old Madmoune were all found guilty of violent disorder and wounding. All eight defendants will be sentenced on Thursday, July 11.
