Henry Laduma sentenced for part in brawl at Nairobi Affair Lounge, during which six people were stabbed

A young man has been sentenced for leaping into a violent brawl at a bar in Adelaide’s CBD, during which six people were stabbed.

A man involved in a wild brawl in a CBD club, in which six people were stabbed, has narrowly avoided immediate jail time.

Henry Laduma, 23, appeared in the District Court on Tuesday over his involvement in the late-night brawl at the Nairobi Affair Lounge on March 13, 2022.

Laduma previously entered guilty pleas to aggravated assault causing harm and aggravated affray.

Judge Joanne Tracey said Laduma got involved in the 1am fight after he heard his cousin had been punched.

Henry Luduma leaves the Adelaide District Court after he was sentenced to a good behaviour bond. Picture: Eva Blandis

“A fight broke out in the cocktail area of the venue involving a large number of males, the fight is captured on CCTV footage and shows several males punching and kicking one another with glasses being thrown as well as tables,” she said.

“You became involved in the fight in the cocktail bar, you lurched at (the victim) with a small knife stabbing him to the right side of his chest.

“He suffered a single stab wound to his right lower chest which required sutures.”

On the night of the brawl, which was investigated by Operation Meld youth gang detectives, six people suffered stab wounds.

Blood spatter after multiple people were stabbed and injured at the Nairobi Lounge in 2022. Picture: Matt Loxton

Judge Tracey said there was also an incident in the “foyer area” of the venue in which Laduma punched another man in the head twice.

She also said Laduma has limited memory of the offending.

“There was a fight inside the venue, which you had limited memory, but you do recall a glass being thrown towards you and hitting the wall and smashing,” she said.

“You say that your anxiety heightened because you didn’t want to be a victim again (after previously being stabbed).”

SAPOL created the special taskforce Operation Meld in 2021 to combat a spate of stabbings allegedly involving feuding youth gangs. Laduma has denied being involved in a gang.

The court had heard Laduma was also allegedly among eight men who stomped and hit a man with a metal pole that night, and was also present when a man was stabbed in the chest but his role in that incident was unclear.

Laduma’s lawyer previously told the court he had “accidentally inserted himself in what became a very, very serious affray”.

Judge Tracey said she took Laduma’s personal circumstances, criminal history and prior compliance with home detention bail when considering an appropriate sentence.

“These were very serious offences which, thankfully, didn’t result in even more serious consequences for you, your victim or those around you,” she said.

“As a victim of violence yourself you would no doubt appreciate the effect your assault has no doubt had on the victim.

“It will be important for you to ensure you stay away from the negative influence of some of your associates.”

Laduma was sentenced to two years and 12 days in jail with a non-parole period of 13 months, suspended on him entering a good behaviour bond of two years.