When you hear the name Rashid Gedel today, it’s usually in the same breath as the high-profile death of Ian Watkins at HMP Wakefield. It’s a headline that grabs you. But the story of how he ended up in a maximum-security prison in the first place—and the Rashid Gedel original charges that set his life on this trajectory—is far more chilling than a simple prison brawl.
Most people don’t realize that Gedel wasn't just a random inmate. He was serving a life sentence for one of London’s most heartbreaking cases of mistaken identity.
The Kilburn Attack: A Case of Mistaken Identity
Let’s go back to February 6, 2021. It was a Saturday. Sven Badzak, a 22-year-old aspiring lawyer who had attended the same private school as Princes William and Harry, was doing something totally mundane. He was picking up orange juice and bagels for his mother.
He was with a 16-year-old friend in Kilburn, North West London. They were just walking home from Waitrose.
Suddenly, a group of six young men targeted them. Rashid Gedel was one of them. The prosecution later described it as a "gang-style" attack. But here is the kicker: Sven and his friend had absolutely no ties to gangs. None. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The group thought they were "ops" or rivals on their drug territory. They weren't.
What were the original charges?
When the police finally caught up with Gedel in March 2021, the legal system didn't hold back. He was 20 at the time. He lived in Ilford. The Rashid Gedel original charges officially brought against him included:
- Murder: Specifically the killing of Sven Badzak.
- Attempted Murder: This was regarding the 16-year-old friend who managed to flee into a Tesco.
- Wounding with Intent: An alternative to the attempted murder charge.
Honestly, the details of the attack are hard to read. It lasted only about eight to twenty seconds. Sven fell to the ground and was stabbed four times. One of those wounds was fatal. His friend was stabbed in the back and nearly died, but he made it inside a shop for help.
The Trial and the "Hunting Knife" Evidence
During the trial at the Old Bailey, the jury heard some pretty damning stuff. Gedel and his co-defendant, Shiroh Ambersley, tried to claim they were just there to sell drugs. They denied having knives that day.
The CCTV told a different story.
Eight minutes before the murder, Gedel was seen on camera at a nearby bakery. He was literally "inspecting" two other hooded youths, looking for someone to attack. He was hunting.
When police searched Gedel’s bedroom after his arrest, they found a hunting knife tucked away in his wardrobe. It wasn't just a one-off thing, either. The court revealed that Gedel had four previous convictions for carrying blades dating all the way back to 2014. He had been carrying knives since he was about 13 or 14 years old.
The Verdict
In July 2023, the jury deliberated for over 25 hours. They eventually found Rashid Gedel guilty of murder and wounding with intent. Interestingly, they acquitted him of the attempted murder charge for the 16-year-old, opting for the wounding with intent conviction instead.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 27 years.
Life Inside HMP Wakefield
Fast forward to October 2025. Gedel is now 25. He’s serving his time in HMP Wakefield—often called the "Monster Mansion" because it houses some of the UK’s most notorious criminals.
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On October 11, 2025, Ian Watkins, the former Lostprophets singer serving time for horrific child sex offenses, was killed. He was reportedly slashed in the neck.
New charges were brought forward. Rashid Gedel and another inmate, Samuel Dodsworth, were charged with Watkins' murder.
Why the Background Matters
Understanding the Rashid Gedel original charges gives you a much clearer picture of the man currently facing a new trial. He wasn't someone who made one bad mistake; his history shows a pattern of carrying weapons and participating in coordinated, violent attacks.
His defense team in the original trial noted he had a difficult upbringing, having been in 14 different care placements since age 13. While that provides context, it didn't change the brutality of the Kilburn attack.
Actionable Insights for Following the Case
If you're tracking this story as it develops through 2026, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- The May 2025 Trial: A provisional trial date for the Ian Watkins murder case was set for May 5, 2025 (extending into 2026 for legal proceedings). Watch for whether Gedel chooses to appear in person this time, as he previously refused video links.
- The "Rico" Moniker: In court documents and hearings, Gedel is frequently referred to as "Rico Gedel." Knowing this helps when searching for updated court transcripts.
- Co-Defendant Status: While Gedel and Dodsworth are the primary names, police have investigated others for "conspiracy to murder" in the prison case.
The legal journey of Rashid Gedel is far from over. From the streets of Kilburn to the cells of Wakefield, his record is a stark reminder of how knife crime and gang-style violence can lead to a lifetime behind bars.
Next Steps to Stay Informed
- Monitor the HMCTS (Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service) daily lists for Leeds Crown Court to see the status of the ongoing murder trial.
- Search for the Sven Badzak case if you want to understand the full impact of Gedel's original crimes on the victims' families.