One year on: What happened to Taylor Williams?

Taylor Williams, from Bromley, was stabbed and died on his way to hospital after and incident in Shooters Way, Oakridge, on Saturday, August 31, 2019.

Twelve months since that night, we now have a better idea of the events that led to the tragedy.

Three people are currently on trial in connection with his murder - Olamide Soyege, 28 of Dagenham, and Terence Maccabee, 19 of Southwark, are both charged with his murder, plus robbery, conspiracy to rob and possession of a knife. Meanwhile, Basingstoke woman Paige Taylor, 23, is accused of robbery and conspiracy to rob.

The trial, which got underway in March, was about one week in when it was postponed because of the coronavirus crisis.

It is still waiting for a date for it to resume at Winchester Crown Court, with the next holding date being September 14.

But what do we know about what happened that night?

The trial has so far heard how the defendants and victim were part of two rival county lines drug networks operating in Basingstoke.

Winchester Crown Court has previously heard how Ms Taylor and Mr Soyege had robbed a drugs runner in a park in Popley earlier on the afternoon of Taylor Williams's murder, demanding to know where his line was operating.

Co-defendant Terence Maccabee was also there but played no part, a witness said.

The runner spat out the drugs, telling the trio that it was all that he had, before Taylor used the spoon to take a wrap of drugs out of his anus.

Taylor was then jumping up and down, demanding a “shank”, and saying she needed to get out of Basingstoke, the court heard.

Later that night, Soyege and Maccabee went there and attempted to rob the network of drugs, before an altercation saw Williams stabbed in the chest and fell out of a window.

Sarah Jones QC continued: “He was seeking drugs from [the occupants of the flat]. He took their phones from them.”

A fight broke out after Mr Williams pushed Soyege who then retaliated with a punch.

The victim escaped via a window after the struggle and realised he had been stabbed.

Blood was later found splattered across the walls, carpet and curtains.

Ambulances attended Shooters Way, where they found Mr Williams in an alleyway, who died en route to hospital.

Maccabee was also injured in the altercation, suffering four stab wounds. He apparently made his way to Normanton Road, where he called an ambulance and told paramedics he had been "jumped" in an alleyway.

The trio deny all charges put to them, and the trial is due to continue.

What was the community reaction?

Residents were shocked after the news broke of the incident the next morning.

“It doesn’t happen in Basingstoke,” said one passerby. “London maybe, but not here.”

Others told The Gazette that they no longer feel the area is as safe as it used to be. “It’s got really lively lately,” said one resident of Normanton Road.

“It was a really nice area before. You could leave your car unlocked every night.”

Cllr Paul Harvey, who represents the Norden ward which oversees Oakridge and South View, said he was shocked and saddened at the news but said he believed the community would pull together.

Speaking to the Gazette, Cllr Harvey said: “The people in Oakridge and South View are a very strong community.

“The community will rally round. This is not a reflection on our community at all and we need to show our spirit in this time.”

Cllr Harvey praised the police and said that he and his fellow ward councillors will support officers in aiding their investigations. He added: “This type of activity is unusual for Basingstoke. The people living in the area are clearly shaken, but we have a strong community and we will support each other.”

Cllr Ken Rhatigan, the leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, paid tribute to the victim adding: “We are shocked and saddened by the news that a member of our community died on Saturday evening following a stabbing on Shooters Way.”