Maidstone couple organise tribute event in stab victim Andre Bent's memory
15:19, 01 September 2019
updated: 10:32, 02 September 2019
A couple from Maidstone have organised a special event in honour of Andre Bent who was stabbed to death last weekend.
Ben Humphrey, 26, also known as DJ Ben.Ny, and his girlfriend Sophie Claire, 26, along with the help of their friend Liam Kelly, 37, have been planning the event to raise money to cover the cost of the stab victim's funeral.
The event will be hosted at The Source Bar, in Maidstone and the company have agreed all ticket and drinks sales will go to Mr Bent's family.
Mr Bent, 21, from Lambeth, south London, died following a disturbance in Maidstone High Street, shortly after a performance by London rapper MoStack, real name Montell Daley, at Gallery nightclub.
After hearing the circumstances of his tragic death, the trio, who all live in Maidstone, decided to create the event, Choose Lives Not Knives, using their contacts in the music industry.
Ms Claire said: "What happened with Andre was a huge shock to everyone and we still can't get our heads around it.
"You can't get away from knife crime, it is happening everyday and the fact it has now happened in Maidstone has made us say 'let's stop talking about it and actually do something about it'.
"We want to get Kent on the map for making a difference."
Speaking on Facebook on Friday, Mr Kelly, who goes by the name Liam Shapes, said: "Knife crime is something that is on the rise and something which is infecting the minds and lives of people we know.
"It’s even creeping into the streets of our home county and something needs to be done, even if we can make the smallest bit of difference as a community, we will do it the best way we can - through music."
They hope the event will raise awareness of knife-crime and make a positive difference in the community.
TMS Security have offered to provide their services for free at the club and will use metal detectors on everyone visiting.
Tickets for the over 18s event, which will take place on Sunday, September 8 from 1pm to 8pm, went on sale today and are available on The Source Bar website.
Attendees will be treated to hours of live house music from Kent-based DJs such as Ramin Rezaie, Chris Nottingham and Dilli, as well glitter face paint and the opportunity to buy T-Shirts with the organisation's logo.
The organisers also hope to continue campaigning against knife-crime in the future, with plans to set up a family festival to support anti-knife charities.
Four men have been charged with violent disorder in connection with Mr Bent's death, and a fifth man was arrested and bailed on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and perverting the course of justice.
On Friday police arrested two more - a 46-year-old woman and an 18-year-old man, both from London - on suspicion of assisting an offender.
They remain in police custody.
The investigation into Andre’s death is ongoing and the police still want to hear from anyone who may information from last weekend’s events.
Anyone with information is urged to call the dedicated appeal line on 01622 654 864 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
