Three people jailed following city machete attack

Three people have been jailed after a man was attacked in a city centre assault last year.

On the afternoon of 22 March, two men were attacked by a group of people as they walked into a store in Humberstone Gate, Leicester.

As the struggle continued outside in the street, one of the men sustained a wound to his neck before the group fled. The injured man received hospital treatment to the wound which was caused by a machete type weapon.

As part of an investigation into the incident in May, three warrants were executed at separate addresses resulting in the arrest of brothers Lequarne and Markel Benjamin and a 17-year-old youth.

The 21 and 18-year-olds of Rutland Street and Dover Street, Leicester – as well as the youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons - were all charged with violent disorder, section 18 GBH and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

Markel and the 17-year-old youth pleaded guilty to section 18 GBH and possessing an offensive weapon in public. The charge of violent disorder will lie on file.

Lequarne pleaded guilty to violent order. The section 18 GBH and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place charges will lie on file.

They were also sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Wednesday 26 April as follows:

• Lequarne was sentenced to three years and six months in prison
• The youth was sentenced to three years and six months in a young offenders institution
• Markel was sentenced to two years and six months in a young offenders institution

Lequarne and Markel Benjamin

Detective Constable Robert Smith, who lead this investigation, said: “Our investigation uncovered a raft of evidence against these three putting them firmly at the scene and being involved in this incident.

“CCTV was recovered from the area which captured the incident and their escape and along with other evidence such as local officers positively identifying two of them and the same clothing being recovered from addresses which was seen to be worn by two of the defendants at the time of the attack we were able to strengthen our investigation in bringing the case to court.

“Despite their convictions, they are fortunate the injury conflicted was not more serious. A wound to the neck with such a weapon could easily have had cataphoric consequences and a very different outcome.”

**A dedicated team set up in force – the Violence and Complex Crime Unit – continues to focus on preventing and tackling violent crime. The team works closely with the Violence Reduction Network (VRN) and other partners and is supported by additional Government funding aimed at addressing violent crime. 

This includes raising awareness of knife crime and providing advice and support to people concerned about knife crime.

If you're a young person concerned about knife crime you can visit www.livesafe.org.uk/livesnotknives

If you’re a parent or carer concerned about knife crime, visit Knife crime advice for parents | LiveSafe

For more information on the work of the VCCU, visit Police team set up to tackle violent crime marks two year anniversary | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk)