Lewes Crown Court Hearing (October 19)

A 24-year-old student accused of grievous bodily harm and other assaults has been released from prison custody.

Mandu Okoko, of Richmond Place, Brighton, was released at Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday (19 March) after being remanded in custody for four months.

On Tuesday, 29 January, Okoko pleaded guilty to three counts of assault, beating, and causing grievous bodily harm with intent and the possession of an offensive weapon.

After leaving the hospital at about 6.00 am on Wednesday, 3 October 2018, in their flat in Brighton, Okoko attacked two of her friends.

The two friends- Jessy Vinchon and Anissa Mokhtari- had been in their flat on the evening drinking with Okoko. She left for the hospital at 6.00 am.

After leaving the hospital, Okoko returned to the flat, where she punched her friend Mokhtari in the face. Having grabbed a broken bottle of wine, Okoko stabbed Vinchon in the neck.

The Court was told that she was under the influence of alcohol and drugs when the incidents happened.

Jonathan Taylor, prosecuting, said that the female victim was afraid of staying in her flat.

Flora Page, defending, said: “Okoko’s life had taken a wrong term. Living away from her family had undermined issues here.

“The drug-taking has also caused consequences in her mental health.”

Judge Christine Laing suspended her sentence and said she must undertake 300 hours of work for the community and 25 days of rehabilitation.

She added: “I still have no explanation of how an honorable person and someone who comes from a supportive family your brother told you were, had that manner that night.”