Two Zimbabwean brothers have been convicted of attempted murder in the United Kingdom following a “savage” daylight assault with a machete.
Benedict Zvekare (26), who left his victim with severe injuries, was found guilty of attempted murder and is beginning his 20-year jail term.
His brother Blessing (31), also of St John’s Road in Edlington, was convicted by the same Sheffield Crown Court jury and given three years for assisting an offender.
Det Insp Lee Townley, who led the investigation, described the incident, which happened as the victim walked along Balby Road with friends last September 28. “At some point, a rock was thrown into the road and towards Zvekare’s vehicle, which was the catalyst for what happened next,” said the officer.
“Zvekare stopped his vehicle and got out, wildly brandishing a machete and shouting. He then began to chase after the group, joined by another man who was carrying a metal bar.
“Zvekare pursued his victim along the road, hitting him across the head with the machete, sending him flying to the ground. The victim’s ordeal did not end there, he was kicked and stabbed whilst lying at the men’s feet.
“As the pair ran back to their vehicle, which had moved closer to them, their victim managed to drag himself to a bus stop, where he collapsed.”
According to Rotherham advertiser, the victim, who had sta_b wounds and multiple rib fractures, was found a short time later by a passing fire crew.
CCTV footage and other inquiries led to Zvekare being arrested at home. A third man, Arif Chohan (41), of Thorne Road in Doncaster, was given two-and-a-half years in jail at the same hearing last Friday (4) for assisting an offender.
Det Insp Townley added: “This was an excessively violent and savage attack which happened in broad daylight in the middle of the street.
“Zvekare was armed and he was incredibly dangerous, it is right that he has received a significant sentence for his actions.
“I know that incidents like this do create concern and fear within local communities and I am keen for people to know that we do investigate, we do take action and we do bring people before the courts.”
