The vitcim has to learn to walk and talk again following the horrific attack
Four men who stabbed a young man seven times outside a restaurant in Bristol, leaving him with life-changing injuries, have been jailed for a total of 75 years.
Reuben Fay, 20, Tayshon Graham, 21, and Cain Henderson, 25, were found guilty of attempted murder at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday, October 9. A fourth man, Ajay Edwards, 22, had previously admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
All four of the men have now been handed lengthy sentences for their roles in attacking Mitchell Burke, from Fishponds.
Mitchell, who is now 24, was out with friends enjoying a meal at a restaurant in Gloucester Road on Tuesday, December 26, 2023.
Graham, Fay and Edwards briefly went into the same restaurant with their hoods up and, around 40 minutes later, went back onto Gloucester Road, joined by Henderson.
The group followed Mitchell and his friends as they left the restaurant.
Ajay Edwards, Reuben Fay, Cain Henderson and Tayshon Graham(Image: Avon and Somerset Police)
Mitchell tripped and fell on Bishop Road, the court heard. He was then stabbed seven times, suffering significant injuries to his face, neck, shoulder, arm, chest and buttock, as well as a brain injury.
His injuries were thought to be life-threatening. Avon and Somerset Police said Mitchell survived thanks to the medical aid he received from members of the public and emergency services at the scene, as well as the care he received from his hospital staff.
However, the attack left Mitchell with long-term, life-changing injuries.
The victim’s family, in a victim impact statement read to the court, said: “Every day for months, I sat beside my son’s bedside in the hospital watching machines keep him alive, all because of what you did.
“I was begging for him to stay alive, not knowing what son I would have when he woke up due to the brain injury that you caused.”
Three of the attackers were sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Monday, December 22.
Reuben Fay, from Lockleaze, Tayshon Graham, of Easton, and Cain Henderson, of Eastville, were all jailed for 23 years.
Ajay Edwards, from Slough, was sentenced to six years in prison, with a discount applied in consideration of his guilty plea. All four will serve two-thirds of their sentence before release on licence.
His Honour Judge Michael Cullum described the “tragically similar” nature of attacker’s backgrounds, which were laid out in mitigation.
The judge said he took into account the mitigation of their youth and adverse personal circumstances during sentencing.
He noted that Edwards did not take or use a knife, and that Henderson had not touched the victim but was jointly responsible by his own admission.
HHJ Cullum said the sentences were “substantial” and “very lengthy for young men”, but said each was a dangerous offender.
At the sentencing hearing, Mitchell’s family added: “As much as I hate you for what you’ve done to him, I wouldn’t wish this pain on your family.
“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 had to ensure physio to help him walk again. Occupational health to help with his memory skills, speech, and language therapy …
“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.
“[He] will not work, what he did have planned he will never be able to do. You caused this and took what goals he had away from him. You have taken things away from him more than you will ever know.
“You have no value of life, not even your own. You threw that away that night, not once did you think about your own mother or family in your twisted actions. I feel sorry for you, and I pity you.
“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.”
Detective Inspector Peter Walker said: “This was a horrific attack on a young man on Boxing Day, who was simply out with friends having a meal in a local restaurant.
“As a consequence he and his family are living with the long-term impact of the injuries he sustained. 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.
“Mitchell and his family have shown remarkable strength and unity. 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.
“They thought that covering their faces meant they wouldn’t be brought to justice. They were wrong. We, as the police, will continue to act robustly to target and tackle those who choose to carry knives as well as those who use them to cause such terrible and devastating harm.
“It’s clear we all need to come together to stop the devastation of knife crime. The police all too frequently are there to pick up the pieces, bringing offenders to justice. But this does not stop the traumatic impact on people’s lives.
“We need to prevent these horrific acts of violence and their tragic consequences from happening in the first place.
“To do so, we all need to work together, with our partners and with our communities. So please, talk to the children and young people you care about. Tell them carrying a knife does not make them strong, and it certainly won’t keep them safe.”