A man who was previously convicted over a fatal stabbing was sentenced to life imprisonment after carrying out another violent knife attack in north London, just minutes from where he killed his earlier victim.
Reece Williams, 30, repeatedly stabbed 27-year-old Shaquille Coote during an unprovoked assault on Beaconsfield Street in King’s Cross on September 15, 2025.
Williams stood over Coote as he delivered multiple blows to his head and body during the eight-second attack, leaving him with life-changing injuries.
The victim was left lying in the road after the assault.
Images and CCTV footage captured Williams standing over his defenceless victim as the stabbing unfolded.
CCTV Footage Exposes Brothers’ Roles in the Attack
Wood Green Crown Court heard that Williams’ brother, Darrell, 27, helped him escape from the scene after the attack.
Detectives examined hundreds of hours of CCTV footage during their investigation.
One recording showed Darrell driving along York Way at 5.31pm with his brother inside the vehicle.
The footage revealed that the car stopped before Reece got out and attacked Coote.
Darrell then made a U-turn and returned approximately five minutes later to collect his brother and drive him away.
Both men were arrested nine days after the incident.
When officers detained them, they were still in possession of the clothing they had worn during the attack.
Brothers Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences
Reece Williams, who lives in Islington, and Darrell Williams, from Hackney, both admitted charges of grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a knife.
Reece was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 12 years before he can be considered for release.
His brother received a prison sentence of at least eight years for his involvement in the attack.
Detective Chief Inspector Sarb Kaur, whose team investigated the case, described the incident as a violent and unprovoked assault that left the victim fighting for his life.
She said officers acted quickly to identify the brothers, establish their individual roles and ensure they faced justice.
Kaur added that the sentences demonstrated that people responsible for serious violence on London’s streets would be pursued and held accountable.
Williams Previously Killed a Man in the Same Area
The latest conviction comes seven years after Williams fatally stabbed another man in the same part of London.
On May 21, 2018, Marcel Campbell, 20, from Tottenham, was attacked near Upper Street in Islington, approximately a ten-minute walk from the location of the assault on Coote.
Campbell was pronounced dead at the scene.
Williams told police he had not intended to kill him.
He claimed he had arranged to meet Campbell to purchase drugs but attacked him in self-defence after the victim allegedly produced a knife.
CCTV footage from the incident showed members of the public running away in panic as Campbell was stabbed. Williams was subsequently captured fleeing along the street.
Campbell’s aunt, Lynette, described him as a devoted father who lived for his children.
She said the family had been devastated by his death, adding that too many young people were being lost to violence.
Early Release Preceded Second Knife Attack
Williams was sentenced to 12 years in prison for manslaughter in December 2018 over Campbell’s death.
However, he was released before completing the full sentence and subsequently carried out the attack on Coote in September 2025.
The two incidents, separated by seven years, also shared similarities in their locations and the clothing Williams wore.
During the 2018 fatal stabbing, he was seen wearing a black sweatshirt, light-coloured trousers and a grey hood.
In the 2025 attack, he wore a black coat and light trousers, with the clothing appearing similar to what he had worn during the earlier incident.
