The family of an NHS worker who was brutally mowed down while walking home in Bristol have issued an emotional and defiant statement. Patrick James, 22, and Phillip Adams, 26, have both been jailed after Katungua Tjitendero, then 21, was deliberately run down from behind by a blue Honda Accord on Monks Park Avenue at 4.30pm on Wednesday, July 22, 2020.
The pair were sentenced to eight-and-a-half years and six years in prison respectively at Bristol Crown Court today Monday, September 30, after being found guilty of conspiracy to cause intentional grievous bodily harm. The family of Mr Tjitendero said the day of the collision has “changed our lives, and that of our family, forever.”
The 21-year-old was walking home from Southmead Hospital while listening to music. He was then struck by the vehicle and found himself pinned up against a wall which was partly demolished by the crash.
Mr Tjitendero suffered injuries including facial wounds, a broken nose, a fractured right leg and lacerations to both his legs. His family said he has since “endured a long path on his recovery”.
His mother Hivaka said: “While on this path we lost Katungua’s step-father. Eddie Briggs was my partner, and he never stopped campaigning for justice for Katungua, he would have been so proud to see this day! I have no doubt his death was brought on by the stress and pressures following the attack on our son.
“As a mother, who should always seek to protect and look after her children, I felt so helpless. I am so proud how my son has dealt with the unknown and rebuilt himself to the man that he is now.
“We are very mindful that this cowardly attack, during which the worst racist abuse was shouted at Katungua, has impacted on all of us – family, friends, community, city, nation and beyond. It has been a long journey and our family would like to thank everyone who came to Katungua’s aid.
“From the moment his broken body was helped off the wall by a lovely lady, whose love for a fellow human being, and need to help, was stronger than the horror she encountered. That chain of love grows stronger by the second.”
She continued to thank those who have supported the family since the horrific crash. They include NHS staff, witnesses who helped the police investigation, journalists who have told Mr Tjitendero’s story, the city’s leader and people who have offered support online.
She finished by saying: “Lastly, we love our lives, we love each other and we love living in Bristol. We love Bristol’s diversity, its art, its music, its sense of humour and decency, and its people. And we will continue to enjoy our lives in Bristol.
“We feel nothing but pity for the hate-filled inadequate people that carried out this cowardly attack, for they and those like them have nothing to offer but hate. We will bounce back!”