Three men jailed after stabbing during Ipswich drug deal
The 33-year-old victim was stabbed seven times in the abdomen, back and wrist, and slashed across the face
Three men have been jailed for a combined total of more than 27 years for a violent attack in Ipswich last year in which a man was stabbed multiple times and threatened with an imitation firearm during an intended drug deal.
Keon Graham, 25, was sentenced to 14 years in prison, while Nolan Akuoko, 21, received 10 years. Both will serve an additional five years on licence. Dylan Craft, 21, was jailed for 37 months. The trio appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday (12 November).
Graham was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a machete. Akuoko, of Psalters Lane, Rotherham, admitted possessing a firearm, affray and breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order.
Both men were also found guilty of being concerned in the supply of cannabis and possessing £12,000 in criminal property. Craft was found guilty of possessing criminal property and admitted breaching a suspended sentence and a Criminal Behaviour Order.
The court heard the attack took place on 22 November 2024 behind flats in Woodbridge Road. The 33-year-old victim was stabbed seven times in the abdomen, back and wrist, and slashed across the face. He required surgery but survived.
The victim, who knew Akuoko from prison, had been lured to the location under the guise of doing a “favour.” When he arrived, he encountered Akuoko, Graham and Craft, along with two other men believed to be involved in a planned deal to buy six kilos of cannabis. During a confrontation, Akuoko produced a gun—later confirmed to fire blank rounds—and a struggle ensued. Graham then stabbed the victim.
The attackers fled, dropping cash across the car park. Police later recovered more than £12,000, a machete sheath and a blank bullet casing. The machete and gun were believed to have been thrown into the River Orwell.
Detectives quickly identified Graham from CCTV, and his fingerprint was found in a nearby flat booked under a false name. Further inquiries linked the property to him via a phone number.
All three offenders had previous convictions for serious violence, with Akuoko and Craft both previously sentenced in 2023 for a robbery and kidnap in Woodbridge. Graham had a prior conviction for violent disorder in 2020.
Detective Constable Richard Pennie of South CID said the attack had a profound impact on the victim and praised his “resilience and bravery.” He added: “Suffolk should be a place where people can feel safe… We will not tolerate this level of violence being brought onto our streets.”