Second man charged over horrific meat cleaver attack in 2008 (From Sutton Guardian)

Jack Smith from Morden to face attempted murder charge following Cheam attack

3:00pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in News By James Pepper

Police have charged a man with attempted murder in relation to a meat cleaver attack which left a man close to death five years ago.

Jack Smith, 22, of Glastonbury Road, Morden, has also been charged with grievous bodily harm and robbery in connection with the attack between Love Lane and Tabor Gardens, Cheam, on New Year's Day 2008.

Victim Matthew Jeeves, 24, who is scared for life as a result of the attack, was left with inch deep wounds across his face and head.

After more than five years of work on the case, Detective Inspector John McQuade said: "It has been a lot of hard work to get to this stage, but we have never let this go. After seeing what condition Matthew Jeeves was left in after this attack, we want to get him and his family justice."

Barry Hughes, 23, of Canterbury Road, Morden, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for his role in the attack in February last year.

Hughes pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to GBH with intent and robbery on December 19, 2011.

Upon hearing his sentence Hughes screamed obscenities at Judge Warwick McKinnon from the dock before being wrestled down to cells by security staff.

Although initially a suspect, Hughes was only caught after his mother lodged a formal complaint against the police for not returning some shoes they had taken for analysis four years earlier.

Police decided to apply more rigorous tests to the size four Kickers shoes and found them covered in the victim's blood, proving he had worn them for the attack.

Smith will face trial later this year.