Four men jailed for stabbing outside restaurant

Four men have been jailed for their part in a stabbing outside a restaurant in Bristol.

The gang targeted the victim, who tripped in the street while running away from them, before being stabbed seven times.

The then 22-year-old man survived the attack on Boxing Day in 2023, but suffered a brain injury, multiple "significant wounds" to his face, neck, shoulder, arm, chest and buttock.

Reuben Fay, 20, of Lockleaze, Bristol, Tayshon Graham, 21, of Easton, Bristol and Cain Henderson, 25, from the Eastville area of the city, were found guilty and sentenced to 23 years for attempted murder. Ajay Edwards, 22, of Slough, was sentenced to six years for his part in the stabbing.

Judge Michael Cullum, at Bristol Crown Court, said Edwards did not take or use a knife and that Henderson had not touched the victim. But they were jointly responsible for the attack.

He added that the sentences were "substantial" and "very lengthy", but added that each was a dangerous offender.

Graham, Fay and Edwards were seen entering the restaurant before the attack in Bishopson, Bristol, with their hoods up.

When they came back 40 minutes later, they chased the victim and his friends. When the victim tripped in the street, he was stabbed.

Police said he was left with long-term, life-changing injuries.

Det Insp Peter Walker said the attack was "horrific".

"As a consequence, he and his family are living with the long-term impact of the injuries he sustained," he said.

"He owes his life to the selfless efforts of members of the public who came to his aid, the emergency services at the scene and the medical professionals at hospital.

"Nothing can undo the harm done, but they can now face the future together knowing these men are behind bars. We wish them all the best.

"The three young men convicted of attempting to murder him, and a fourth who admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent, have now ruined their own lives by their actions."

A victim impact statement from the family of the victim, read in court, described the gang as "cowards" and how they had begged for their son to survive.

"As much as I hate you for what you've done to him, I wouldn't wish this pain on your family," it said.

"My son has had to keep fighting and is still fighting every day. He's had to be strong and learn how to walk and talk again. He was 22 years of age that night, and you have taken away the greatest years of his life

"He has no memory. He can't remember fun, exciting things he did as a child or just memories of what we used to do as a family.

"[He] is now 24 years old [and] shouldn't be having to be told like a five-year-old to remember to do things. He is now living with life-changing injuries and disabilities. Every day, he will see these scars, and he will be constantly reminded of what you did...

"My justice comes from you getting sentenced, but your sentence will never be long enough for what you have done. Ours is for life, but we're strong as a family unit, and you will never win because you are weak… You are all cowards that hide your faces… You probably can't even tell me why you did it."

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