A Tube passenger described as “gentle and kind” was brutally punched to death by a fellow passenger after the pair “brushed past” one another on the escalator. Samuel Winter, 28, had been travelling on the eastbound Jubilee line when he exited at Southwark Tube station on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at around 9.30pm.
A court heard how Rakeem Miles, 24, had also been travelling on the same service, however he and Samuel were in different carriages and had not interacted. As Samuel exited the station, he walked up the escalator, brushing past Miles before continuing to walk. Miles reached for Samuel who continued to walk ahead while Miles remained in the same spot.
AI engineer Samuel passed through the barrier line and headed out of the exit stairs, with Miles following a few seconds later, shouting after him. Miles then reached out to Samuel, grabbing him from behind, ripping his top in two as he pulled Samuel to face him and punched him once in the head before leaving him collapsed on the stairs.
Tragically, Samuel suffered a critical brain injury in the attack, and despite being rushed to the hospital, he died two days later on August 24 with his devastated family by his side.
Today (June 24) Miles, of East Street, Southwark, London, was sentenced for manslaughter at the Inner London Crown Court to eight years’ imprisonment, with an extended licence period of 13 years. However, he must serve just under five and a half years before he will be eligible for parole.
British Transport Police (BTP) said during the investigation into Samuel’s death, they discovered Miles had used a card to top up his Oyster card in a shop near the station the day before. Officers investigating attended the shop on the morning of August 23 when a member of staff informed them Miles had just left the shop.
He was found outside and arrested on suspicion of Grievous Bodily Harm. He was later convicted of manslaughter on March 21 of this year.
After the sentencing today, Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Paul Attwell, from BTP, said: “Though nothing can bring Samuel back, I hope today’s sentencing allows his family some small measure of comfort as they continue to grieve for him. Samuel’s family described him as gentle and kind, and he will be sorely missed by all those who love him.
“We reiterate our requests to give the family privacy at such a difficult time. It only took one punch from Miles to end Samuel’s life and forever change the lives of those around him. He showed no remorse for his action, leaving Samuel at the station and continuing on with his evening.
“The quick-time and thorough investigation by the teams involved meant Miles was identified and apprehended quickly. There is zero tolerance for violence on the railway and I’d like to thank my team for their hard work and determination to secure justice for Samuel’s family.”