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Ex-Cardiff and Crawley player ‘stabbed man in unprovoked attack’, court told

Ex-Cardiff City and Crawley Town player Ibrahim Meite ‘stabbed a man in an unprovoked attack’, court was told earlier this month.

The former EFL striker is said to have stabbed a man in the back in a “premeditated and not provoked” attack, before getting knifed himself.

Meite allegedly stuck a knife into Rio Amos, 24, in Putney, south London, on the morning of the 12th of September 2019, contracted to Crawley at the time.

Amos is said to have then produced a larger blade and stabbed Meite after he fell over while running from the scene, Wales Online reports.

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Photo Credit: Cardiff City

Prosecutor Max Hardy said it was “unlikely this was a chance passing” when Meite came face to face with Amos after driving his white Mercedes to the “quiet residential street” with Leon Hughes, 33, in the front passenger seat.

CCTV footage shows the pair getting out of the car and Meite engaging Amos in conversation “moving from side to side” before he “sidles around his back”.

Max Hardy said Meite stabbed Amos in the back “catching him unawares” while his “attention was split between the two men”.

Amos then produced a larger knife and “deliberately and intentionally” inflicted a number of more serious wounds on Meite after he tripped and went down before running off.

“The prosecution say that the attack on Mr Amos by Mr Meite was premeditated and not provoked by anything that can be seen on the footage and that the attack by Mr Amos on Mr Meite in return went far beyond lawful self-defence,” Kingston Crown Court were told.

“It is the prosecution case that both of them were intending to cause each other serious harm and that Mr Hughes was a participant in the violence used by Mr Meite against Mr Amos.”

Ex-Cardiff and Crawley player ‘stabbed man in unprovoked attack’, court told

Both of the injured males were treated at St George’s Hospital with Meite, of Roehampton, and Hughes, of Merton, both in south-west London, denying wounding with intent, an alternative charge of unlawful wounding, and possession of a knife.

Hughes further denies two charges of perverting the course of justice after being accused of moving Meite’s car, disposed of the knife, and gave a false account to police.

Amos, of Wandsworth, south-west London, denied wounding with intent and an alternative charge of unlawful wounding.

The jury heard how he previously admitted to separately possessing a knife at the scene and at the hospital.

The pair had previously been given unconditional bail due to the restrictions imposed by the Covid lockdown.

In January 2018, Meite was charged with drink driving at Brighton Magistrates’ Court, after a speeding offence in Hove on the 31st of December 2017.

Judge Sarah Plaschkes QC said at the time there was “clearly some animosity” between the defendants and ordered that neither man contact the other directly or indirectly.

He was banned from driving for 17 months and made to pay a £380 fine plus £85 costs and £38 victim surcharge.

Martina Sherlock, prosecuting, said: “Police officers saw the white Mercedes A200d driven on the road in excess of 30 mph on Dyke Road Avenue in Hove.

“Meite was driving and tested positive for the presence of alcohol.

“He was taken to Brighton custody centre and was found to have 62 mg per 100 ml of breath. The legal limit is 35 mg.” 

But in mitigation he revealed that his time at Crawley was difficult and said he was usually very professional.

Representing himself, wearing a check shirt and black jeans, he told the court: “My time in Crawley had come to an end.

“I went out on the last day of the year as I wanted to celebrate.

“I know what I did was wrong and it is not in my nature.

“I am really professional in what I do.

“I regret it and, thinking about it, I wish I could turn back time. “I respect the court’s decision whatever happens.”

Meite, of Sherfield Gardens, Wandsworth, London, pleaded guilty to one charge of drink-driving.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for 17 months and was made to pay a £380 fine + £85 costs and £38 victim surcharge.

Chairman of magistrates Ian Stuart told him: “Make sure you act more professionally next time.”

Ibrahim Meite’s career so far

Youth career
AG Academy

Senior career
2016–2017 – Harrow Borough – 16 games (6 goals)
2017–2019 – Cardiff City 
2017–2018 → Crawley Town (loan) – 19 games (2 goals)
2019–2020 – Crawley Town – 2 games (0 goals)
2019–2020 → Woking (loan) – 15 games (4 goals)
2020 → Pirin Blagoevgrad (loan)
2020 – Derry City – 8 games (1 goal)
2021 – Wingate & Finchley

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