A man who drove his Mercedes into a moped rider before knifing him with a machete in Clapham has been jailed.
Nino-Tai Smith, 23, inflicted life-changing injuries on his 25-year-old victim over a gang rivalry
He then crashed the stolen Mercedes before being tracked down by detectives with a gun.
Smith was sentenced to over seven years in jail today (June 4) after pleading guilty to all charges.
On June 10, 2021, Smith drove the stolen car into his victim on Cedars Road in Clapham. He knocked him off his moped, before jumping out to attack him with a machete.
Smith made off, crashing the car in nearby Newby Street, discarding his machete and continuing on foot.
Two days later police tracked Smith to the Patmore Estate in Battersea.
Following a chase with officers he was detained and officers found a gun in a bag that Smith had chucked away 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.
Detective Inspector Jonathan Summers, who heads the Met’s Central South Gangs Unit, said: “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.
“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.
“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.”
Smith, of Wandsworth Road in Nine Elms, was jailed for a total of eight years and 10 months at Croydon Crown Court.
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 also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm at Inner London Crown Court on November 14, 2022.
He was handed a five-year sentence for this offence, which he is serving concurrently with his most recent sentence.
