A Brent council youth worker has been jailed for 1

A Brent council youth worker has been jailed for 15 years
for ‘hunting down’ and stabbing a man in a barbaric murder bid.

Rawle De Weever, 30, and his pal Mark Chapman, 29, carried
out the horrendous attack in front of the victim’s seven-year-old
son, the Old Bailey heard.

Mr Granville Grace, 32, was knifed so viciously in the face
that his skull was fractured.

He was also stabbed in the chest, arms and hands before
the pair fled, leaving a knife embedded in his back up to the
hilt.

Jailing De Weever and locking Chapman up for eight years,
Judge Bruce Laughland, QC said: ‘It was a miracle of modern
medical science that he survived.

‘
The pair lauched the onslaught because of a simmering row
between De Weever’s girlfriend and Mr Grace’s, said prosecutor
Mr Howard Vagg.

De Weever’s lover, Jackie Wilkes, who has since given birth
to his child, had made ‘unpleasant remarks’ about Hermione Samuels,
Mr Grace’s girlfriend.

Mr Grace and Miss Samuels went to the home De Weever then
shared with his lover in Worthington House, off Tulse Hill, to
challenge them.

A row flared and Mr Grace and Miss Samuels returned to their
home in Angles Road, Streatham.

Later that day Miss Wilkes went to the flat to pick up some
things she had left with Miss Samuels.

Then Mr Grace, Miss Samuels, and her son Jason went on a
shopping trip.

They had hardly left home when a car driven by Chapman
pulled up alongside.

Also in the car were De Weever, Miss Wilkes, and a man known
only as ‘Louis’
Chapman asked Mr Grace if he was ‘looking for a ruck’ then
De Weever got out the car clutching a knife and snarled: ‘I’m
going to f****** kill you.

‘
Grace fled down Farm Avenue in terror, but was cornered by
De Weever and Chapman, both armed with knives, after running
into a blind alley.

Miss Samuels and her little boy caught up in time to see
the pair repeatedly stabbing helpless Mr Grace.

‘He was stabbed in the face causing a fracture to his
skull.

He was stabbed in the chest in the arms and on the
hands,’ said Mr Vagg.

‘The knife wielded by De Weever was plunged up to the hilt
in between his shoulders.

It was left there.

The two men then
ran off, leaving him to die.

‘
Mr Grace was airlifted to hospital and spent 18 days there
after several hours on the operating theatre.

De Weever, who last lived in Heathdene Road, Streatham,
and Chapman of Penhurst Road, Thornton Heath, denied attempted
murder.

They also pleaded not guilty to an alternative charge of
causing grievous bodily harm with intent on April 22 last year.

Chapman was not called to give evidence but De Weever claimed
he played no part in the attack which was carried out by Louis and
another unknown man.

But the jury rejected his story and convicted him of attempted
murder.

Chapman was found guilty of the lesser charge of causing
grievous bodily harm.

De Weever also admitted two charges of theft at Cannon sports
club in the City of London.

He was caught with a credit card and club membership
card after he was been seen going through pockets in the changing
room on June 8 last year.

De Weever, had been employed for the last two years as a
part-time youth worker by Brent Council for pnds stlg 60 a week,
has a ‘substantial’ string of previous convictions dating back
12 years.

He has made court appearances for assault with intent
to resist arrest, theft, handling stolen goods and possessing an
offensive weapon with intent.

He has served sentences of
imprisonment and borstal training.

Father of three Chapman also has a ‘substantial’ list of
previous convictions for assault, theft, and possssing a rachet
knife as an offensive weapon.

Counsel for Chapman said he was only involved in the attack
because of his friendship with De Weever.

Passing sentence the judge said: ‘On April 22 last year you
two went out with premeditation, carrying knives.

‘
‘You trapped Mr Grace in an alleyway and subjected him to a
very grievous stabbing.

‘The offence is aggravated by the fact there were two of you
involved in hunting down one victim, that you were both armed with
knives and the injuries he suffered were indeed very grave.

‘One of them resulted in him being detained in intensive care
for nine days.

‘The jury’s verdict, De Weever, indicates you intended to kill
that man.

‘
Turning to Chapman the judge said: ‘The jury’s verdict did not
implicate you in such an intent.

But nevertheless, your intention was
to inflict really serious harm.

‘
De Weever’s friends and relatives gasped as the sentence was
announced.

He turned to wave to them before led to the cells.

ENDS