Four men have been sentenced to a combined total of more than 80 years in prison after a violent knife attack in Maidstone left one man dead and a woman seriously injured.
In the early hours of 10 February 2019, 38-year-old Wesley Adyinka and a woman in her 30s were outside a block of flats on Knightrider Street when they were confronted by two men they knew, Alfie Caparn and Kevin Roach.
While the woman was on her phone, Roach threatened Mr Adyinka, who attempted to back away but was grabbed by Caparn and thrown to the ground. Roach then pulled a knife from his jacket and stabbed Mr Adyinka in the chest and back.
The woman intervened to help but was pulled away by Caparn before Roach stabbed her in the left thigh. The attackers then fled to a nearby BMW, driven by Rodney Harris and accompanied by Julian Grant.
Emergency services were called, but Mr Adyinka was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Just 45 minutes later, Kent Police’s armed units stopped the BMW on Westmoreland Road, Bromley. Roach, Caparn, Grant, and Harris were arrested immediately.
An extensive investigation by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate uncovered CCTV footage showing the four men searching the area for the victims an hour before the attack. Investigators also revealed that Grant had aggressively phoned the woman shortly before the stabbing, prompting Roach and Caparn to confront the victims.
Roach, from South Norwood, London, was identified as the attacker in an identification parade and charged with murder and grievous bodily harm. Harris, Caparn, and Grant were also charged in connection with the attack.
The court handed down the following sentences:
- Kevin Roach – 27 years for murder, unlawful wounding, and knife possession
- Julian Grant – 20 years for manslaughter and unlawful wounding
- Rodney Harris – 18 years for manslaughter and unlawful wounding
- Alfie Caparn – 18 years for manslaughter
Senior Investigating Officer DI Annie Clayton condemned the attackers, stating: “This murder was fuelled by a dispute over the supply of drugs in Maidstone. These four men came to Kent seeking retribution and ended a man’s life while seriously injuring a woman. They must now pay with lengthy jail terms.”
She added: “Kent Police will keep a zero-tolerance stance on gang and drug crime and will work closely with the Metropolitan Police to bring offenders to justice.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
