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Trucker stabbed lorry drivers at Ashford International Truckstop, Sevington, after football match

05:00, 07 December 2022

updated: 15:06, 07 December 2022

A “sick” knife-wielding trucker repeatedly stabbed fellow drivers after a football match in a terrifying ordeal at a lorry park.

Frenzied Anthony Chiri charged at colleagues before unleashing a horrifying flurry of violence at the Ashford International Truckstop in Sevington.

Anthony Chiri stabbed fellow lorry drivers at Ashford International Truckstop. Picture: Kent Police
Anthony Chiri stabbed fellow lorry drivers at Ashford International Truckstop. Picture: Kent Police

The 33-year-old had rowed with drivers he had fallen out with before arming himself with the blade.

Chiri, a French national, was jailed for 11-and-a-half years on Thursday at Canterbury Crown Court, where details of the attack emerged.

The trucker arrived at the services off Arrowhead Road on May 20 this year after 11pm, before confronting colleagues watching football inside a cafe, the court heard.

During a row, Chiri was knocked over, prompting him to lay in wait under a trailer armed with a blade, prosecutor Paul Edwards said.

“After more than a minute the defendant came out and charged towards (one driver) and Geoffrey Telliez saying ‘I’m going to put it in you,’” Mr Edwards continued.

Ashford International Truckstop in Arrowhead Road, Sevington, Ashford. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Ashford International Truckstop in Arrowhead Road, Sevington, Ashford. Picture: Barry Goodwin

“Mr Telliez reached into the cab of his lorry and grabbed a jack which he was hoping to use to defend himself, but as he turned around the defendant stabbed him in the right shoulder with the knife.”

The stab wound went straight through his shoulder and, seconds later, Chiri plunged the blade into his shoulder and arm, the court heard.

Mr Telliez parried further blows as the thug aimed the knife towards his stomach and back, and then ran for security.

The prosecutor said another trucker, Elvis Flahaut, confronted Chiri, saying: “What are you doing to my mate? Are you sick?”

“Do you want me to do the same to you?” Chiri replied, before swinging the jack into Mr Flahaut’s jaw, knocking him to the ground.

Anthony Chiri was jailed for 11-and-a-half years at Canterbury Crown Court for the attack at Ashford International Truckstop
Anthony Chiri was jailed for 11-and-a-half years at Canterbury Crown Court for the attack at Ashford International Truckstop

The defendant then attacked Mr Flahaut with his fists and, at some point, knifed him in the arm.

Following a 999 call, emergency services were scrambled to the site at about 1.30am, where two knives were recovered.

Chiri was arrested and gave no comment in a police interview, while his victims were rushed to a nearby hospital, the court heard.

Mr Flahaut suffered a single knife wound and an injury to his chin, with Mr Telliez being treated for an entrance and exit wound to his shoulder.

Mr Telliez was also treated for a wounded elbow - his injuries requiring 56 stitches in total. He attended court to see his attacker, who he had known for years, jailed.

Chiri, of no fixed abode, admitted two counts of wounding with intent before trial.

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