Drill rapper, 20, is jailed for 11 years for knife attack in brawl that saw murder of S Club 7 star Bradley McIntosh's cousin
A drill rapper who was involved in the knife attack that saw S Club 7 star Bradley McIntosh's cousin stabbed to death outside a nightclub in a 73-second rampage has been jailed for 11 years.
Andre Bent, 21, was fatally stabbed outside Gallery in Maidstone, Kent, after 'a spontaneous outbreak of violence' erupted following a performance by grime artist MoStack on August 25, 2019.
Mr Bent - the cousin of S Club 7 star Bradley McIntosh - suffered a 21cm-deep chest wound and died at the scene.
Last year, Vasilios Ofogeli, who was just 16 when he fatally stabbed the university student to death and knifed three other victims, was told by High Court Judge Mrs Justice Cutts he would have to serve 20 years behind bars for the attack.
On Tuesday, Mr Bent's best friend Kayode Badejo, 20, who stabbed a rival member in the back with a US marines folding knife and caused significant internal bleeding in the brawl, was jailed for 11 years.
Badejo, of Crystal Palace, south London, admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm at Maidstone Crown Court.
Kayode Badejo (pictured), 20, of Crystal Palace, south London, admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and was jailed for 11 years
Andre Bent (left), 21, was fatally stabbed outside Gallery in Maidstone, Kent, by Vasilios Ofogeli (right), in August 25, 2019
Badejo, who was categorised by the court as a 'dangerous offender', was also sentenced for a separate investigation by the Metropolitan Police relating to firearms offences and aggravated vehicle taking.
On the night of the attack, Mr Bent and Badejo had gone to Gallery in Maidstone before violence broke out in the street after a member of MoStack's entourage was punched and knocked unconscious.
As dozens joined the rampage, Badejo stabbed another entourage member, Rheo Lawrence, in the back with a nine-and-a-half cm US marines folding knife - causing significant internal bleeding.
Yesterday, recorder Simon Denison QC believed Badejo 'clearly learnt no lessons' from his best friend's death and said he posed a danger to the public.
He said: 'You have said when you go out at night you carry a knife for your own protection and reassurance.
'It is that misguided attitude that carrying a knife somehow makes you safer that has led to the deaths and serious injuries of so many young people and caused many others to have to spend years in prison.
'You are at least fortunate to be one of those spending years in prison rather than one of those who has been killed or seriously injured.'But it is a matter of luck your victim didn't suffer more serious injury. You could have so easily killed him. You used a highly dangerous weapon and caused grave injury.'
The judge added: 'You still do not understand how serious it was that you were carrying a knife and the consequences that that caused. I have no doubt that you are dangerous.'
Badejo will have to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence and will be subject to a three-year extended licence period.
Mr Bent had been at the nightclub where grime artist MoStack - real name Montell Daley - was performing when he was killed with a machete wielded by Vasilios Ofogeli.
The second-year business studies student from Lambeth, south London, did not know his girlfriend was pregnant with their first child when he died at the scene from a 21cm-deep chest wound.
Ofogeli (pictured as he was arrested at Stansted Airport) was told by High Court Judge Mrs Justice Cutts he would have to serve 20 years behind bars for the attack
Ofogeli, a drill rapper known as Scarz8th from Hornsey, north London, had been part of MoStack's official entourage and even appeared on stage with him just an hour before the murderous attack.
Following the attack, Ofogeli fled to his home before getting a flight to Greece. But he was arrested on the Tarmac at Stansted Airport when he returned six days later.
Despite stabbing the men as they were either running away or laying on the ground, he claimed at his trial that he had acted in self-defence.
Last year prosecutor Philip Bennetts QC told the court the 'catalyst for violence' was a fight between two of MoStack's entourage as they left the club.
Others joined in by punching, kicking, and striking with belts. Another of the rapper's friends was stabbed in the melee and two knives, not including the one used to stab Mr Bent, were later found at the scene.
Ofogeli armed himself with a 23cm-long blade from a car parked outside the club and then tried to disguise himself by wrapping his hooded top around his head.
His first victim, Lucas Baker, was stabbed to his shoulder, the knife penetrating all the way through his body.
Thirteen seconds later Patrick Conceicao was knifed twice to his back with the force causing two spine fractures and a punctured lung.
The third man, Joshua Robinson, was knifed to his left buttock and right thigh as he lay on the ground.
S Club 7 star Bradley McIntosh asked fans at the Sunshine Festival to take part in a minute's silence after his cousin was stabbed
Mr Bent was the fourth and final victim, stabbed to the side of his chest just seven seconds after Mr Robinson.
He collapsed unconscious almost immediately and died despite efforts of first-aiders and paramedics at the scene.
Just hours later, S Club 7 star Bradley McIntosh urged fans at the Sunshine Festival to take part in a minute's silence in memory of his beloved relative.
The 40-year-old singer said: 'I'd rather be here performing for you Worcester, than moping at home.
'But please can we have a minute's silence for my cousin.'
Badejo is now the eleventh defendant, all said to be 'fans, friends and supporters' of MoStack, to be sentenced over the fatal fight.
His victim Mr Lawrence, then aged 29 and from Watford, Hertfordshire, was himself jailed for one year and 11 months after he pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
A twelfth man from Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, was arrested and charged by Kent Police just last week and is due at the same court next month.
Senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Patrick Milford, of Kent Police, 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.'
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