Yahoo News Police release image of suspect who 'fled the country' after 'road rage' killing of delivery driver in Finsbury Park
Detectives investigating the road rage killing of a delivery driver have named a suspect who fled the UK the following day.
Nathan Smith, 27, is being sought by officers over the fatal stabbing of Takieddine Boudhane – known as Taki – in Finsbury Park, north London.
Mr Boudhane, 30, was riding his motorbike when he collided with a van in Lennox Road at about 6.50pm on Friday, January 3.
A row escalated, he was attacked and bled to death in the street.
The Met is now offering a £10,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of the person responsible for Mr Boudhane’s death.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil John said: “We are very keen to speak to Nathan Smith as part of our ongoing enquiries.
“We know that he fled the country the day after Taki’s murder, initially travelling to Austria and then onto Switzerland. We are confident he has now moved elsewhere in Europe or potentially further afield.
“There is a European Arrest Warrant out for Nathan and our enquiries continue in several countries, with assistance from the National Crime Agency.
“On behalf of Taki’s grieving family, I am making a direct plea to Nathan to get in touch with us.
“Similarly, we believe there are people out there who know where he is or who may have seen him over the last six months. Please contact us and assist with our investigation. Any information you have – no matter how small – could be what we are looking for.”
Nathan is described as a white male, 6ft 3ins and of slim build, with dark hair. He usually has a dark beard although this may have been shaved off. He also has a tattoo on his right forearm reading “count your blessings”.
He has links to north London, particularly Islington, Camden and Kentish Town.
Mr Boudhane, an Algerian national living in Enfield, was working as a delivery driver. He died despite the efforts of emergency services.
A post-mortem examination found the cause of death to be an incised wound to the chest.
Mr Boudhane’s mother Saida Boudhane said: “Whoever did this horrible crime didn’t kill just my son Taki, but they killed our entire family.
“My son is still alive until we bring to justice the person who murdered my beloved son. All I want now is justice for Taki.”
Mr Boudhane’s brother Islam, 29, who arrived at the scene moments after the stabbing, previously told how he had lost a “lion” who had been working three jobs to try to save up to build his own house and start a family.
DCI John added: “Taki was an innocent man who had come to this country for a better life. That life was suddenly cut short, leaving behind a distraught family both here in the UK and back in Algeria.
“The least his family deserves is justice. We are doing all we can but now we need your help and we are asking everyone to share this appeal to ensure as many people as possible see it.”
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Nathan Smith or the incident itself should call the incident room on 0208 358 0100 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
