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James Bascoe-Smith: Two men jailed for near-fatal attack on teen James Bascoe-Smith: Stabbed teen tells court of brain damage and paralysis
(about 2 hours later)
James Bascoe-Smith said "every day I wake up and know this will be forever"
A teenager who effectively "died" on the street after being stabbed has described the impact on his life.
James Bascoe-Smith was 16 when he was attacked by Leon Rashid, 20, from Thornton Heath, and Taiquane Lewis, 19, from Kennington, both in south London.
They were convicted at the Old Bailey last month of conspiracy to murder, and today jailed for life.
Mr Bascoe-Smith told the sentencing hearing he now has brain damage, uses a wheelchair and needs a full-time carer.
He was repeatedly knifed by Rashid and Lewis in Brixton in February 2021 while he was checking whether a bicycle was safe for his mother to ride.
The court heard how his heart stopped and he effectively died in the street near his home, only to be brought back to life by medics.
He endured a significant period - about 50 minutes - during which there was a lack of blood and oxygen to the brain, leaving him with profound and life-changing injuries
Taiquane Lewis (left) and Leon Alan Rashid were convicted at the Old Bailey last monthTaiquane Lewis (left) and Leon Alan Rashid were convicted at the Old Bailey last month
Two men who who left a teenager with life-changing injuries in an attack in south London have been jailed for life, with a minimum term of 13 years. The jury was told he was the "entirely innocent victim" of a gang stabbing sparked either by a provocative online drill video or as "tit-for-tat" revenge for a previous attack.
James Bascoe-Smith's heart stopped for an hour after he was knocked off his bike by a Range Rover and repeatedly stabbed in Brixton last year. During the hearing, a pre-recorded video was played in which he asked why the defendants targeted him and whether they now "feel bad".
James, who was 16 at the time of attack, now uses a wheelchair. James Bascoe-Smith now uses a wheelchair and needs full-time care
Last month, Taiquane Lewis, 18, and Leon Rashid, 20, were convicted of conspiracy to murder. He said: "When I was stabbed by these people I remember crying out for my mum and pleading for them to stop.
During the sentencing hearing on Friday, Judge Ian Bourne KC said: "No-one can fail to be deeply moved by the devastating effect the life-changing and tragic events have had, not just for James Bascoe-Smith but his family, friends and the wider community." "I do not remember much and I could not communicate for six months after the attack.
James was in court for the conclusion of the trial last month and smiled as Lewis, of Kennington, and Rashid, of Thornton Heath, were found guilty by a jury at the Old Bailey. Rashid was also convicted of having an offensive weapon. "They have stopped me from driving, going on my first holiday with my friends to celebrate my 18th birthday, gymnastics coaching, working and from becoming a music producer as I was studying this in college.
James Bascoe-Smith's heart stopped for almost an hour after the attack "I cannot get out of bed on my own, I can't even brush my own teeth and I need a lot of medication to help me with my recovery."
The court heard James was the entirely innocent victim of a gang stabbing, sparked either by a provocative online drill video or as "tit-for-tat" revenge for a previous attack. He added: "I am grateful that the doctors saved my life but living like this is hard, I miss my friends, I miss my old life, every day I wake up knowing this is how I will be forever".
James had been out testing a bike near his home on 23 February last year when he was driven at in a stolen Range Rover and then stabbed. Rashid will serve a minimum of 14 years and Lewis 13.
During the trial, the court heard how, following the attack, he video-called his mother as he lay on the ground.
Prosecutor Edward Brown KC told the trial the pair "very nearly succeeded in killing him".
Mr Brown said: "In effect, James Bascoe-Smith had died at the scene and was only brought back to life by the immediate and significant efforts of the treating medical professionals."
James is bedridden and struggles to move or communicate. his mother told a court
During the hearing, a pre-recorded video was played in which James asked why the defendants had targeted him.
He now relies on a full-time carer to get him out of bed, brush his teeth, and feed and dress him, he told the court.
"I did not deserve this, I had no issues with anyone. I don't know why they attacked me, I just want to know why they attacked me and if they feel bad for what they have done," he said.
The court heard both Lewis and Rashid had previous convictions for carrying knives.
Two other defendants were previously cleared of involvement in the attack.
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