Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Four on trial after alley ‘stabbing’
A young woman accused of stabbing a rival after threatening to kill her on social media will argue she acted in self-defence.
Naomi Roberts, 20, is accused of seriously wounding Channey Smith in a Canterbury alley.
Prosecutors told Canterbury Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday) that Roberts plunged a kitchen knife into Miss Smith’s leg, after trying to aim it at her chest.
Her brother, George Roberts, 21, and then-boyfriend Frederick Lamb, 19, also stand trial for their part in the “sustained and brutal attack”.
The trio will deny a knife was brandished and claim they acted in self-defence as Miss Smith attacked them behind garages in Brymore Road in February 2019.
The court heard Naomi Roberts threatened Miss Smith on Facebook, saying “I’m going to kill ya,” prosecutor Kieran Brand said.
“She threatened to beat her and told her she would have to stand there and fight her like a true traveller girl.”
Miss Smith and the trio clashed following a Prince’s Trust workshop when, as the situation turned sinister, a knife was pulled.
Mr Brand alleges George Roberts pulled out a large kitchen knife and held it to Miss Smith’s throat, and said: “Feels good does it? Feels good?”
Naomi Roberts then beat her to the floor and could be heard shouting “get me the knife George, get me the knife,” the court heard.
“It was then that Channey saw Naomi Roberts with the knife and moving it towards her rib cage,” Mr Brand told the jury.
“Miss Smith grabbed the bladed end of the knife until it was too painful and let go.”
As Miss Smith lay on the floor, Lamb kicked her head “not dissimilar to the kicking of a football,” the court heard.
When the trio fled, Miss Smith noticed a stab wound to her calf muscle and screamed for help, while onlookers alerted 999.
The prosecutor said: “They carried out a sustained and brutal attack. They turned up at the scene armed between them with a knife.
“There were threats made and Naomi Roberts was handed that knife by George Roberts, and her and her partner Frederick Lamb dished out the attack.
“This kick, delivered not dissimilar to the kicking of a football, was delivered, we say by Lamb.”
Their friend, Benjamin Deskaj, 22, also stands trial for intimidation after allegedly threatening one eyewitness.
Deskaj approached the woman in Canterbury city centre asking why she “grassed up George”, and messaged her on Facebook, it is alleged.
All four deny the charges and are expected to deny any presence of a blade, claiming witnesses are mistaken or lying.
Naomi and George Roberts, both of Radfall Rise, Whitstable, deny wounding with intent and threatening another with a blade.
Lamb, of the same address, denies wounding with intent, while Deskaj, of Hytom Drive in Deal, denies witness intimidation.