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| James Bascoe-Smith: Stabbed teen tells court of brain damage and paralysis | James Bascoe-Smith: Stabbed teen tells court of brain damage and paralysis |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| James Bascoe-Smith said "every day I wake up and know this will be forever" | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 month | Taiquane Lewis (left) and Leon Alan Rashid were convicted at the Old Bailey last month |
| 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. | 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. |
| During the hearing, a pre-recorded video was played in which he asked why the defendants targeted him and whether they now "feel bad". | 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 Bascoe-Smith now uses a wheelchair and needs full-time care | James Bascoe-Smith now uses a wheelchair and needs full-time care |
| He said: "When I was stabbed by these people I remember crying out for my mum and pleading for them to stop. | He said: "When I was stabbed by these people I remember crying out for my mum and pleading for them to stop. |
| "I do not remember much and I could not communicate for six months after the attack. | "I do not remember much and I could not communicate for six months after the attack. |
| "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. | "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. |
| "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." | "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." |
| 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". | 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". |
| Rashid will serve a minimum of 14 years and Lewis 13. | Rashid will serve a minimum of 14 years and Lewis 13. |
| Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk | Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk |