A Kennington teenager was one of two sentenced today (Friday, November 4) to a life sentence for conspiracy to murder, after a seventeen-year-old boy was left for dead having been run over and repeatedly stabbed while test riding his new bicycle.
Taiquane Lewis, 19, of Kennington Park Road, Kennington, was found guilty in September of being involved in the ‘cowardly, senseless attack’ on James Bascoe-Smith.
James, now aged 19, has undergone a series of operations since the merciless assault, which saw him run over and stabbed a number of times. The extensive injuries to his organs and the neurological damage mean he now uses a wheelchair and requires constant care and support – likely for the rest of his life.
Lewis was convicted alongside co-conspirator Leon Alan Rashid, 20, of Dunheved Road, Thornton Heath at the Old Bailey
Today both were handed life sentences, Rashid was jailed for a minimum of 14 years and Lewis a minimum of 13 years.
Rashid was sentenced to an additional two years for an offence of possession of an offensive weapon – to run concurrently.
Police described the ‘murderous random assault on a lone and outnumbered James’ as “about as sinister as it can possibly get” leaving the seventeen-year-old clinically dead for fifty minutes after the attack.
His mother even went through the trauma of receiving a video call from her incapacitated son saying “he’d been stabbed and was dying”.
James had been testing out a bike his mother had bought him near his home on Henry Road, Oval, around 6pm on February 23, 2021.
A Range Rover, in convoy with a VW Passat, sped into James, before men leapt out and began “stabbing and slashing” at him in front of horrified neighbours.
Police said the “merciless assault” ended when a male who had been acting as look-out said something, prompting the attackers to drive off.
Witnesses said sparks flew when James’ bike got trapped under the escaping Range Rover, with one occupant getting out to remove it from under the wheels.
It was now that James called his mum, to tell her what happened, while his own life ebbed away.
Police and paramedics were called to the scene at 6.15pm to reports of a stabbing. On the way to hospital, James’ heart stopped beating and he stopped breathing.
Doctors conducted a thoracotomy and defibrillated James four times. On the fourth attempt, his heart started beating again.
Now on the long road to recovery, police have described James as a “miracle and a role model” who has shown “heroism and dignity” throughout the trial.
While James fought for his life in the back of the ambulance, police were already gathering evidence of the horrific ordeal.
Police recovered CCTV footage showing the suspect vehicles, which later turned out to be stolen, patrolling the estate before ploughing into James.
Five knives were recovered from the scene, two from inside the VW Passat, some of which were covered in blood.
The Range Rover was found abandoned by police the next morning and smelled strongly of cleaning products.
Police said considerable forensic examinations were conducted and Lewis was identified after his DNA was found on the VW Passat.
The court heard a search of his bedroom turned up knives which were the same type as those used in the offence. His DNA was also found on a sheath discovered in the Range Rover.
Police said Rashid was identified through DNA evidence found on one of the knives which also had James’ blood on it.
Tragically, police have never established a motive, saying that James was a totally innocent victim caught up in a dispute between rival gangs.
The court was told James had been doing well in his GCSEs and working as a coach at a local gym at the time the attack happened. Through a victim impact statement his mother Lisa Bascoe-Smith said: “My phone rang and I saw James lying on the floor.
“I sunk when I saw him in a pool of blood. I keep asking myself, ‘how can it have happened in that space of a minute out of my eyesight?'”
Ms Bascoe-Smith said James had made some progress in his rehabilitation, adding: “He has gone from a sporty, carefree, happy-go-lucky boy to someone who has been bedridden and is struggling to move or communicate.”
DI Awad said, after the pair were found guilty: “In my years as a police officer I have investigated some harrowing cases. What happened to James is among the worst I have encountered. The strength shown by his family after that ordeal, and the ensuing trial, is utterly incredible.
“The reason for the attack on James has never been satisfactorily explained. He was a completely innocent victim caught up in a dispute between rival gangs.”
Police praised James and his family, whose “collective heroism and dignity has inspired the entire police and prosecution team”.
Speaking after the sentences were handed down today Detective Superintendent Neerav Patel, from the Central South Command Unit, said: “James was declared clinically dead for fifty minutes after this attack which saw him run down and stabbed by cowards. He was completely innocent, just out riding his bicycle when he was mistaken for a rival in a senseless dispute between opposing gangs.
“Passers-by offered immediate assistance, and paramedics refused to give up on James, miraculously restarting his heart. With a five per cent chance of survival it is nothing short of a miracle that James is with us today. The best medical treatment from the NHS and the unrelenting love of his family saved his life.
“James really is an inspiration to us all, a beacon of light against evil and cowardice.
“As we have seen during this trial, my officers and our colleagues from the CPS have worked day and night to achieve this outcome. I would like to thank all those involved for their dedication and professionalism.
“I would also pay tribute to a member of public who was first on scene, called police and stayed with James awaiting the arrival of emergency services. Her testimony proved vital in the case.
“I would also like to commend James and his family for their patience and support, and join the rest of the community in wishing James a healthy road to recovery.
“Finally I want to issue a warning to those who engage in violence on our streets – we will never stop pursuing you to ensure you are brought to justice for your crimes.”
James’ auntie, Rachel Duncan, said in a statement on behalf of his family: “Today is the end of our journey in the fight for justice. Justice has been served and we are deeply saddened that this has happened to James, and that our young people are being stabbed on our streets. James was fortunate that he survived, however he has been left with severe life changing injuries.
“I want to thank all the officers, the barristers and all the people who have worked behind the scenes for their hard work and dedication to bring these people to justice. This should not have happened, and I urge people who carry knives and seek harm on others to stop. The trauma caused to my nephew and the family mean we are now living with the impact of knife violence forever.
“We are truly grateful for the support given to us by the witness services. It was a long, stressful and anxious six weeks, but with their support, kindness and compassion we saw it through.
“Our family will continue to campaign to eradicate violence on our streets, as we do not want another family to go through the trauma that we are currently living.
“We all need to sit up and stand up to knife violence.”