A 20 year old British Nigerian has been sentenced to 11 years in jail for his part in a huge fight that saw a 21 year old killed two years ago.
Kayode Badejo stabbed Rheo Lawrence with a knife during the early hours of August 25 2019 after a concert held by grime artist, MoStack, in Maidstone, Kent.
The “violent” individual Crystal Palace, pleaded guilty to a charge of wounding with intent earlier this year.
He was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment on Tuesday, August 24 with an extended licence period of three years, and must serve at least two thirds of his sentence before he can be considered for parole.
A separate investigation by the Metropolitan Police relating to firearms offences and aggravated vehicle taking led to additional three yeear sentencing, which he will serve on license after his release, according to Kent Online.
The judge, Recorder Stephen Denison QC recounted that a brawl broke out amongst a group after someone knocked out one of MoStack’s entourage at around 3am.
Dozens of people, some wielding belts, then took part in a mass fight, punching, kicking and hitting each other with belts. Kayode and his friend Mr Bent – the cousin of S Club 7 star Bradley McIntosh- had knives on them.
Badejo ended up stabbing Lawrence who survived the attack but with serious internal injuries, while Mr Bent was stabbed and killed by 16 year old teenager Vasilios Ofogeli of Hornsey, North London. .
Senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Patrick Milford said: “This week marks the two-year anniversary of Andre’s tragic death, a much-loved young man, whose life was brought to an abrupt end by the most appalling and senseless violence.
“There has never been any doubt that the catalyst of his brutal murder was the outbreak of fighting on the street, which involved men including Badejo, and whilst Andre’s killer will rightly remain in prison for many years we also remain committed to ensuring justice is served on anyone else involved in these events, which have caused so much pain and suffering to Andre’s loved ones and friends.”
Two further suspects, linked to the violent street disorder, remain remanded in custody and on bail, respectively, pending the outcome of future court hearings.
Kayode is the eleventh person to be convicted of violent disorder after a street fight in Jubilee Square resulted in the killing of 21-year-old dad-to-be Mr Bent.
He is said to have record of crime from the age of 14, with this being his fourth knife offence in a record which began with a robbery committed when he was just 14.
