Four jailed for knife attack inside Bedford convenience store

Four gang members who carried out a targeted knife attack on a man inside a Bedford convenience store have been jailed for more than 18 years.

Remus Rotariu, Jerome Ajayii, Amirul Hussain and Jayden Kalyan were identified as responsible for the stabbing, which took place in Iddesleigh Road on 20 June 2025.

The investigation revealed the victim was targeted due to his links to someone who had previously been involved in an altercation with a member of the gang, with the attack believed to be a retaliation.

Detectives uncovered a recorded phone call from earlier that day between Hussain and another man who was serving time in prison, during which Hussain had been encouraged to obtain a knife and carry out the assault.

Shortly after 9.30pm, CCTV showed the victim arriving at the supermarket and going inside. Minutes later, a car pulled up outside at speed and Rotariu, Ajayii and Kalyan jumped out – the first two armed with knives – while Hussain remained in the driver’s seat.

They cornered the victim inside the shop and stabbed him in front of members of the public, before fleeing the scene in the vehicle. The victim was left with serious injuries.

Around 30 minutes later, Rotariu and Ajayii were seen in Elstow changing their clothing. Officers recovered the discarded items, which were stained with blood from the victim.

Police also located the vehicle used in the attack abandoned in Elstow, and established that Hussain had insured himself on the car just hours before the incident.

Rotariu, 22, of Conquest Road, Bedford, and Ajayii, 23, of Mile Road, Bedford, both pleaded guilty to section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a bladed article. Rotariu was sentenced today (Friday) at Luton Crown Court to three years and nine months behind bars, while Ajayii received a sentence of three years and seven months.

Hussain, 27, of Elstow Road, Bedford, was found guilty following trial of section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent and was sentenced to five years and six months.

Kalyan, 22, of Aire Walk, Bedford, pleaded guilty to section 20 grievous bodily harm.

He also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, following the execution of a warrant in September of the same year, and was sentenced to five years and seven months in prison.

Detective Constable Adam Geary, from Bedfordshire Police’s guns and gangs unit Boson, who led the investigation, said: “This was a brutal and brazen attack, carried out with a clear intent to cause serious harm and a complete disregard for the risk posed to other members of the public.

“There is absolutely no place for knives or violence on our streets, and we will relentlessly pursue those who threaten the safety of our communities.

“These arrests were just four out of over 300 that our Boson team made in 2025, showing our clear intent to make Bedfordshire a hostile place for criminal gangs.”

Find out more about Boson’s work to disrupt gang activity and tackle serious violence.