Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
A complex investigation by Met detectives has seen a man jailed over a brutal machete attack in Clapham, highlighting the Met’s commitment to cracking down on violence and relentlessly pursuing those who endanger the lives of others.
Nino-Tai Smith, 23 (20.02.2002), of Wandsworth Road, Nine Elms, was jailed for a total of eight years and 10 months at Croydon Crown Court on Wednesday, 4 June. This was reduced to seven years and three months after credit. He previously pleaded guilty on Tuesday, 4 March at the same court to charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.
Smith drove a stolen Mercedes into his victim – a man aged 25 at the time – before attacking him with a machete. It is understood that assault was motivated by a gang rivalry.
When officers tracked Smith down, they also recovered a firearm. In connection with the firearm, Smith also pleaded guilty of possessing a firearm at Inner London Crown Court on Monday, 14 November, 2022. He was handed a five-year sentence for this offence, which he is serving concurrently with his most recent sentence.
Detective Inspector Jonathan Summers, who heads the Met’s Central South Gangs Unit, said: “Smith’s victim was left with severe, life-changing injuries and I’m proud of the investigation team’s efforts in bringing this violent offender to justice.
“Brilliant investigative work helped to paint a compelling picture of Smith’s guilt, and led him to plead guilty on the first day of trial.
“Senseless violence has no place on London’s streets, and I hope this case demonstrates our determination to pursue dangerous criminals who threaten the safety of our communities.”
On Thursday, 10 June, 2021, Smith drove a stolen Mercedes into his victim in Cedars Road, Clapham. He knocked him off his moped, before setting upon him with a machete. Smith made off, ultimately crashing the car in nearby Newby Street. He then discarded his machete and left on foot before police arrived at the scene.
Met officers provided emergency treatment to the victim at the scene and he was taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service to receive lifesaving care.
Investigators then began making urgent enquiries to track down the perpetrator, following numerous lines of enquiry, establishing the Mercedes had been driven by Nino-Tai Smith.
Just two days after the incident, police tracked Smith down to the Patmore Estate in Battersea. Following a chase with officers – captured on body-worn video – he was detained and officers recovered an illegal firearm in a bag that Smith had discarded at the scene.
The investigation team spent months analysing complex phone data and evidence. This all added up to a damning case against Smith, who was shown to be an active participant in the assault after data showed he had been near the scene of the incident at the time.
DI Summers added: “This was a heinous, premeditated attack motivated by intergang rivalry. We will always seek to prosecute such matters – even when a victim is unable for whatever reason to support a prosecution.
“Neither intimidation nor any perceived code of silence will prevent us from relentlessly pursuing justice. The investigation team have worked tirelessly for years to achieve this amazing result, and I am again humbled by the investigators’ dedication, detective ability and professionalism.”