Seven jailed for murder of Givani Espuet in Sudbury following tireless work from detectives

Detectives investigating the murder of Givani Espuet have worked tirelessly to bring his killers to justice, culminating in the conviction of several men.

Over two days, seven defendants were jailed at the Old Bailey for their part in the incident.

Despite the intervention of emergency services, 21-year-old Givani died of his injuries after being stabbed 11 times at a Halloween party in 2022 in Sudbury.

Detective Inspector Jim Barry, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “This was a senseless killing that left a family, partner and community grieving. Givani was pursued for no reason and was repeatedly stabbed because the defendants didn’t want to lose face.

“If none of these men had taken a knife to that party, then Givani would probably still be alive and these men would not be facing years in prison. Givani had his whole life ahead of him."

The court heard how on Sunday, 30 October 2022, Givani had gone with two friends to a Halloween party at a bar on Harrow Road in Sudbury.

In the early hours of that same day, a dispute broke out that spilled out onto the streets and punches were thrown. This event then became deadly, when at least two of the defendants produced a knife.

When Kadeem Hibbert lunged towards Givani with a weapon, he ran, but was pursued by the group and was then repeatedly stabbed.

An ambulance crew happened to be waiting in traffic when Givani was stabbed repeatedly next to them. They went to his immediate aid, but could not save him.

A subsequent post-mortem found Givani had been stabbed 11 times, with one of the wounds being a non-survivable stab-wound to his heart.

Givani was not in possession of any weapon and had not struck anyone.

The stab wounds were predominantly to his back and appear to have been inflicted while he was on the floor.

The killers fled the scene leaving behind a hat, discarded nearby that was linked to Courtney Forrester.

Specialist Crime (Homicide) began an investigation and all the defendants were arrested in the following weeks.

All of them either refused to answer questions or produced prepared statements denying their involvement.

DI Barry added: “If you suspect someone of carrying a knife, speak to them and point out the dreadful results of knife crime. If they will not listen to you call police. Even if they are arrested, those consequences are better than the alternatives.”

Those convicted are:

Kadeem Hibbert, 30 (29.10.93) of Gladstone Avenue, N22 was found guilty of murder and violent disorder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years for murder, and two-and-a-half years’ imprisonment for violent disorder – sentences to run concurrently.

Sahid Kpaka, 29 (29.12.94) of Gladstone Avenue, N22 was found guilty of murder. He had previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years for murder, and two years and three months’ imprisonment for violent disorder – sentences to run concurrently.

Courtney Forrester, 26 (03.05.97) of Old Bedford Road, Luton was found guilty of manslaughter. He had previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of ten years for manslaughter, and one-and-a-half years’ imprisonment for violent disorder – sentences to run concurrently.

Bruce Hutchinson, 30 (11.04.93) of Marlborough Road, N22 was found guilty of violent disorder and sentenced to two years nine months’ imprisonment. He was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter.

Andre Brown-Watson, 38 (11.04.86) of Park Grove, N11, was found guilty of violent disorder and sentenced to two years six months’ imprisonment. He was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter.

Firat Tato, 27 (10.01.97) of Gladstone Grove, N22 was found guilty of violent disorder and sentenced to two years, 11 months’ imprisonment.

Omari Knight, 28 (15.03.96) of Tottenhall Road, N13 was found guilty of violent disorder and sentenced to two years, eight months’ imprisonment.

Kyle Peters, 33 (22.12.90) of Salisbury Road, N22 pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He will be sentenced on a future date.

Further charges of violent disorder were brought against four other men, who will be tried for this offence at a later date.