Jury retires in Le Geyt stabbing trial

Friday 17 March 2023

The jury in the trial of three teenagers alleged to have been involved in the stabbing of an 18-year-old on Le Geyt Estate last year has retired to consider its verdict.

Alex De Jesus (19) is accused of attempting to murder the young victim, while two teenagers, who cannot be named, are accused of grave and criminal assault.

All deny the charges. Mr De Jesus claims the stabbing was carried out by his friend, 18-year-old Jayden Howard, who has already pleaded guilty to attempted murder and is due to be sentenced next Friday.

Mr De Jesus admits taking a knife with him to the scene near Unifare Stores in St Saviour on 9 January last year, but says he did not use it. He admits only to punching the victim and has pleaded guilty to grave and criminal assault.

Pictured: The case opened in the Royal Court last week.

The two unnamed teenagers claim they were innocent bystanders and had no idea a violent attack was going to occur.

However, the prosecution in the case argued that it was a premeditated ambush and say De Jesus must have been involved in the stabbing, along with Howard.

They also argued that the two teenagers would have known what was to happen and are guilty of grave and criminal assault by encouraging and supporting the act.

The victim suffered two punctured lungs and damage to his liver, and had to have an operation at Southampton Hospital to remove part of the blade of a knife from his back.

More on the case...

Teen "left for dead" after drug debt stabbing attack, court told

Police officer recalls moment he found stab victim with blade in his back

Teen accused of stabbing claims victim made drug debt death threats

Teen in attempted murder trial says he gave victim phone for 999 call

Stabbed man was "ambushed" by four people, court told