Attempted murder trial of young male ends in s18 GBH conviction following 8-week Old Bailey trial. Malik Aldeiri leading Anisa Kebbati for the defendant.

R v DV & Others [2026] Central Criminal Court

Malik Aldeiri leading Anisa Kebbati, instructed by Jas Virdee of Virdee Solicitors, were successful in the defence of their client (DV) following an 8-week multi-handed trial at the Central Criminal Court.

DV appeared second on the indictment and was charged with attempted murder, s18 GBH (in the alternative) and violent disorder alongside seven others. Before the trial, he entered guilty pleas to the violent disorder and possession of a bladed article.

The Prosecution’s case

The defendants were alleged to have jointly participated in a knife attack on the victim, who was only 17 years old at the time. At the time of the incident, DV was 18 years old.

The prosecution relied upon independent eyewitnesses, CCTV footage, call data, cell-site, the recovery of zombie knives near the scene and expert medical evidence.

Of the eight defendants, the CCTV footage showed the victim being stabbed by two males, the first male (who the prosecution said was the first defendant) and DV. The remaining six defendants were “non-stabbers”.

The victim sustained serious injuries which involved a stab wound that penetrated his skull, damaging part of his brain, two stab wounds on the thigh and a punctured lung.

Trial proceedings

As the first defendant ran the defence of mistaken identity, the majority of the cross-examination of witnesses was undertaken by Malik Aldeiri. This included lengthy cross-examination of the prosecution’s expert, a consultant clinical and forensic radiologist.

Malik and Anisa were able to secure rulings excluding both prejudicial evidence against their client and his previous convictions.

Verdict

At the end of the trial, the jury deliberated for a total time of 26 hours and 42 minutes.

The jury convicted the first defendant of attempted murder, violent disorder and possession of a bladed article.   

In respect of Malik and Anisa’s client, the jury convicted him of the lesser offence of s18 GBH.

Three other defendants who were “non-stabbers”, were also convicted of s18 GBH. Six out of eight defendants were convicted of violent disorder.

Significance of outcome

This outcome is reflective of the meticulous preparation and a rigorous analysis of the evidence by Malik Aldeiri and Anisa Kebbati.

The sentencing of all co-defendants will take place at the end of the year. The difference in sentence between that of attempted murder and s18 GBH will be significant for their young client.

About the Barristers

Malik Aldeiri qualified as a solicitor in 2006 before practising as a Higher Court Advocate in 2008. He transferred to the Bar in 2026. Malik is consistently instructed in serious and often complex cases, with an emphasis toward murder and attempted murder, gang violence and organised crime, drugs and money laundering and sexual offences.

Anisa Kebbati was called to the bar in 2022. She became a member of Drystone Chambers in October 2025 following her pupillage. Anisa has already earned a reputation for gaining the trust of her clients and for representing vulnerable defendants, including those with a history of mental ill health.

To instruct Malik and Anisa, contact their clerks Ryan Bartlett or Amie Harris on 020 7404 1881.