CASE STUDIES

Justice for Byfield family

32 year old Joel Smith was convicted on 04.08.06 of the double murder of seven-year old Toni Ann Byfield and 41 year old Bertram Byfield, the man she knew as her father.

The murders took place on 14.09.03 in a block of flats on Harrow Road NW10. Toni Ann had only been in London for a few weeks before her murder and was staying with Mr Byfield for the weekend.

Detectives believe that Joel Smith went to Mr Byfield's flat just after midnight with the intention of shooting him or robbing him, and that Toni-Ann was shot to eliminate her as a witness.

Post-mortems gave the cause of death for Toni Ann as a single gunshot wound and for Mr Byfield as two gunshot wounds.

Detective Supterintendent Neil Basu, of Operation Trident said;
"I would like to express my enormous gratitude to the brave witnesses who were prepared to trust Trident and give evidence in court. Without them this case could not have been successfully prosecuted.

"I hope the black community will recognise the tremendous dedication of Trident to convict that small number of their community who continue to prey on each other and will find it in their hearts to cooperate with us in future. Together we are making a difference and today at least, the streets of London and Liverpool are that little bit safer."

"As always, my thoughts remain entirely with the Byfield family here in the UK, Canada and Jamaica."