Teen Sentenced to 18 Years for Brutal Knife Attack at Notting Hill Carnival

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A 19-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for a violent knife attack during last year’s Notting Hill Carnival that left a teenager with life-threatening injuries. The attack, carried out in front of large crowds at one of Europe’s largest street festivals, involved a banned “zombie knife” and nearly claimed the life of an unarmed young man.

Rumarni Tuitt was convicted of attempted murder after stabbing 18-year-old Kamani Spooner during a chaotic brawl on August 26, 2023, in Canal Way, West London. According to testimony at London’s Central Criminal Court, commonly known as the Old Bailey, Spooner had been attending the Carnival peacefully with friends and had no prior connection to Tuitt. The altercation, described as sudden and unprovoked, ended with Spooner being slashed across the stomach and stabbed four more times in the side and back.

Presiding Judge Judy Khan KC handed Tuitt an 18-year sentence, ruling that he must serve at least 12 years before becoming eligible for parole. In her remarks, the judge highlighted the recklessness of carrying a deadly weapon into such a densely packed public event. “This was a particularly serious offense committed in the heart of Europe’s biggest street festival, an event that celebrates the vibrancy of our capital city,” Khan stated. “There is no justification for carrying a knife of that nature in the street, far less into a crowded Carnival.”

The 10-inch blade Tuitt used in the assault fits the classification of a “zombie knife,” a large, often serrated weapon designed to inflict maximum damage. Tuitt had a prior history involving dangerous weapons, including being caught with a Rambo-style knife at the same event in 2022. Despite receiving a community order for that earlier incident, he returned to Carnival in 2023 armed once again, ultimately using the weapon in a near-fatal attack.

Prosecutor Mark Paltenghi detailed how Spooner was caught off guard as a fight broke out nearby. Surrounded by several men throwing punches, he was unaware of the threat until he felt pain and saw his intestines exposed. Despite his severe injuries, Spooner managed to run from the scene and received critical medical care that ultimately saved his life.

Although Spooner chose not to submit a victim impact statement, the judge acknowledged the likely long-term physical and psychological consequences of the attack. Tuitt’s defense cited his age and medical conditions, including autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but these factors did not prevent the court from delivering a substantial custodial sentence due to the gravity of the crime.

Acting Detective Inspector Sophie McLoughlin of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) described the incident as “a savage and senseless attack,” adding that the victim was fortunate to survive. McLoughlin credited both the swift action of officers at the scene and the months-long investigation that secured Tuitt’s conviction. “It is thanks to the vigilance of officers on duty that day and the hard work of my team that we were able to build the case,” she said.

The conviction comes amid growing concerns over knife-related violence in major cities, particularly during large public gatherings. Tuitt’s 15 prior convictions, including ten for assaults on emergency workers, paint a troubling picture of escalating behavior that ultimately culminated in attempted murder.

Tuitt denied the charge of attempted murder but was convicted by a jury. He pleaded guilty to possession of a knife. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals who bring weapons into crowded, public spaces under the guise of protection or retaliation.