Man jailed for stabbing Watford man in Maidstone in Kent

Kayode Badejo was sentenced for his role in a fight in Maidstone in Kent that left one man dead and several injured.

Badejo, formerly of Hancock Road, Crystal Palace, south London, stabbed Rheo Lawrence from Watford with a knife during the early hours of August 25 2019.

Lawrence survived the attack from Badejo but was left with serious internal injuries.

CCTV caught a large group of men punching, kicking and hitting each other with belts shortly after a show by grime artist MoStack had finished in the town.

Kent Online reported that the group left the Gallery nightclub at around 3am, at which point violence broke out in Jubilee Square after someone knocked out one of the rapper's entourage.

Almost two years to the day since the incident, Badejo was jailed for 11 years for his part in the street brawl, after pleading guilty to a charge of wounding with intent. He was also issued with an extended licence period of three years.

He was also sentenced on August 24 this year for a separate investigation by the Metropolitan Police relating to firearms offences and aggravated vehicle taking. Jail terms for these crimes will run concurrently.

Kayode Badejo. Credit: Kent Police

Maidstone Crown Court heard the incident in Maidstone two years ago was Badejo's fourth knife offence. Badejo has been categorised by the court as a 'dangerous offender' and will have to serve at least two thirds of the sentence before he can be considered for parole.

The violence in Maidstone turned out to be fatal after 21-year-old Andre Bent was stabbed by teenager Vasilios Ofogeli of Hornsey in north London.

Vasilios Ofogeli. Credit: Met Police

Ogofeli, who was 17 at the time of the court case, was found guilty in March 2020 of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and wounding with intent.

During sentencing in May that year, Ofogeli was ordered by the court to be detained for at least 20 years.

Body cam footage of Vasilios Ofogeli being arrested at Stansted Airport by police. Credit: Kent Police/PA

A further nine men have already been sentenced at Reading Crown Court for their part in the violent disorder.

They were each given sentences of up to two years and two months, including Lawrence, who was jailed for 23 months.

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."

Murder victim Andre Bent. Credit: Kent Police

Two further suspects, linked to the violent street disorder, remain remanded in custody and on bail, respectively, pending the outcome of future court hearings.