Latest news with #RakeemMiles
Daily Mail
29-06-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The VERY different childhoods of two boys raised just four miles apart - and how a single punch after a chance encounter on a Tube escalator ended in tragedy
Just four miles separated the childhood homes of Sam Winter and Rakeem Miles - yet their upbringings in south east London could not have been more different. Childhood photos show Sam spending his formative years in a stable, nurturing home, while images of Rakeem at the same age hint at a life already veering off course. The two had never crossed paths until they stepped off the same Jubilee Line train at Southwark station shortly before 9.30pm on August 22 last year. As Sam, 28, exited the station and made his way up the escalator, he brushed past Rakeem - sparking a chain of events whose consequences could not have been more tragic. Enraged, Rakeem, 24, set off to seek 'revenge'. He pursued his prey for more than two minutes through the station, following him out through the ticket barriers, and began screaming abuse at Sam as he headed out of the exit stairs. When Rakeem caught up with the 'kind and gentle' charity volunteer, he grabbed him from behind, ripping his top as he pulled him towards him, before issuing a single devastating blow to the head. Sam - who worked as a data scientist and was also a qualified physiotherapist - suffered a catastrophic brain injury and died two days later at the Royal London Hospital with his grief-stricken family at his bedside. This week Rakeem escaped a murder rap and was jailed for eight years at Inner London Crown Court after admitting Sam's manslaughter. He could be out on the streets in little more than five years and campaigners have blasted the sentence as 'simply inadequate'. The Attorney General's Office has received a request to review the sentence many deem to be unduly lenient. Despite their 'unbearable loss', Sam's church-going family spoke of their 'deep faith' and said they had 'unconditionally forgiven' Rakeem for killing their son. His loved ones said: 'We have lost our gentle, hugely compassionate, funny, intelligent and hard-working son Sam because of this entirely unprovoked and horrific assault. 'We would do anything and give everything to have Sam back with us. But he's gone for the rest of our lives. 'The pain of his loss is almost unbearable for us, his wider family, many friends and all the people in his community, whom he loved to help through his physiotherapy, service and personal generosity. 'We thank God, however, that his death isn't the end for us. We'll be reunited with Sam in heaven.' Even beyond his death, others continued to benefit from Sam's 'unendingly giving spirit'. In a message to well-wishers and friends at the time of the tragedy, his IT programme manager father David, 58, said: 'We've just said our final goodbyes to our precious Sam and dropped him into the transplant surgery operating theatre. 'He wanted to give as many of his organs as possible to others. His heart, liver, pancreas and kidneys are being given to four people to save their lives.' The generosity of spirit of Sam and his family stand in stark contrast to his killer and those around him. After the attack Rakeem simply walked away and 'continued on with his evening' - without a thought for his victim, or any sense of remorse. Now MailOnline can give an insight into his background growing up in a council flat in one of the capital's most notorious crime-ridden inner city areas. Rakeem, who is thought to have two older brothers, was brought up by single mother Juliet Sealy, 58, in a third floor flat in a six-storey block just off East Street in Walworth. A heartwarming photo from his eighth birthday shows him beaming over his chocolate cake with friends, but another from the same day shows him flashing a gang sign alongside his father and brother - a glimpse into the unstable environment that would shape his early years. Yet among nearly 300 other photographs on Juliet's Facebook page there are just a handful of Rakeem - and no others that capture important milestones in his young life. Instead the page - in which Rakeem's mother refers to herself as Julie Sweetboots and Julie Sweetlove - features numerous photos of Juliet and her friends posing in provocative outfits. One series of images sees her in shiny black thigh high boots and armed with a leather whip. One shocked friend commented: 'Julie, WAT R U DOING? I think these pics are meant to be private!' She went on to beg her to remove the images but to little effect. Others show her dressed in black basques and skimpy dresses while in one picture she is seen sitting astride a powerful motorbike with the caption: 'This is the only decent thing I've had between my leg in a bit.' Rakeem himself had little time for social media but it appeared at one point that he held out hopes of becoming a BMX racer. Aged around 12, the youngster took part in races at a nearby track in Burgess Park which was opened as part of the Olympic legacy following London 2012. Peckham BMX Club, which is based there, went on to become one of the country's top teams with local boy Kye Whyte winning a silver medal in the Tokyo Olympics. Whyte and the club's founder Michael Pusey - who was awarded an MBE in 2018 - are among Rakeem's Facebook friends. He went on to post images on Instagram of injuries he had suffered including having stitches in his leg and showed off his 'first break'. According to his Facebook account, Rakeem attended The Academy in Peckham before doing YMCA training and working at Ralph Lauren and JD Sports. There's no mention of the drug charges he faced after he was accused of supplying cannabis in July 2022 when he had moved to a swish apartment block near Southwark station. Juliet was reluctant to talk about the case when approached by MailOnline this week. But neighbours told how Rakeem spent much of his time drifting through the area. One said: 'He spends a lot of time down at Burgess Park. He goes there but also you see him outside with his friends. 'They hang out near the playground in the early evening and chill. I don't know if he's ever been in trouble. I was shocked when I heard what happened.' The block where the family live - where the smell of powerful skunk hangs heavy in the air of it's stairwells - is just yards from the scene where a rampaging knifeman stabbed to death local man Hilkiah McLeggan, 77, last November. Two others were injured during the frenzied Sunday morning attack in East Street market. Last December, Southwark Council pledged a 'comprehensive review' over the alarming rates of crime and anti-social behaviour in the area. It was deemed the worst in the borough, particularly for safety after dark, with record levels of muggings, theft, knives, property damage, and abuse in parks and around schools. One elderly resident of the block told MailOnline: 'I've lived here for more than 50 years. A lot has changed in that time - and not for the better. 'There used to be more of a community but now people just shut themselves behind their doors. 'There's one flat where there's just a lot of teenagers hanging out there with their bikes. I don't know who lives there. A lot of different people seem to come and go. How they got the flats I don't know. 'I've never been afraid of anything but I don't feel safe nowadays walking out. I never don't go out after dark - you'd be crazy to.' Throughout his childhood the youngster sponsored a Ugandan orphan called Sam and at 16 he would go on to travel there for a charity project While Rakeem's thoughts were on the world of BMX bikes, Grade-A student Sam was settling into life at private Colfe's School three miles from the £1million end of terrace home in Crofton Park where his family have lived since he was born. He was then eldest of David and schoolteacher wife Michele's three children. The youngest, his sister Jasmin, has recently qualified to become a vet. Throughout his childhood the youngster sponsored a Ugandan orphan called Sam and at 16 he would go on to travel there for a charity project. He is said to have dreamed of founding a school in Africa, once telling a friend: 'I'm going to make a million or two then we'll fly across and make it happen.' He went on to study biological science at Exeter University before obtaining a Masters in AI and data science at Cambridge, according to his on line CV. The resume showed he had been working in technology for a multinational medical firm - the latest in a series of high flying jobs in IT along with juggling work as a physiotherapist. In his spare time he volunteered at a range of charities from soup kitchens, to food banks and other work with the homeless. Michele, 55, has said that at the time of his death the passionate conservationist told her he had been accepted to train as a solar panel engineer. She proudly revealed Sam taught himself 'to code' and went on to develop an award winning app which provides therapeutic exercises. As a police investigation was ongoing, the family had to wait until November to say a final farewell to Sam at a funeral they turned into a celebration of his life. During the one hour and 45 minute service, friends and loved ones lined up to pay a series of emotional tributes to the sports-loving young man who had touched so many lives. In a voice quaking with emotion Jasmin said: 'Sam was the kindest soul I've ever known and I know I'll never meet anyone like him again. 'He lived life at 200 miles per hour yet always made time to make everyone feel valued. 'Sam had millions of beautiful visions of the future, ways to make it better, and to make people smile at the same time. 'I'm still struggling to process that I've lost you Sam. You were taken away from all of us so abruptly and in such a cruel and undeserving way. 'Most importantly Sam you were so full of love and giving that I want to take this moment to say 'I forgive you Rakeem Miles' because I know Sam would forgive you too. 'Finally, I want to say, 'Sam. You'll always be my best friend - Goodbye.' Thanking friends for their support during the family's 'darkest hour' David said: 'I was hoping to decorate a beautiful church, invite all my friends and speak to you at Sam's wedding. It's beyond my worst nightmare to be doing these things at his funeral.' A former girlfriend called Imani - a Cambridge graduate whose family originate from Sierra Leone - told how Sam's 'desire to help and love' others 'was evident in everything he did' whether it was 'volunteering, juggling multiple jobs, or simply being there'. She added: 'All of us can think of a way in which we have been blessed by knowing him as a person or being on the receiving end of his acts and words of kindness. 'Sam was someone that I, and others, could really rely on and he had a remarkable ability to connect with people, often with surprising little acts of thoughtfulness. 'Sam had a big heart that loved deeply and encouraged relentlessly. He made time for everyone. Sam's legacy of kindness, encouragement and unwavering faith will continue to inspire us all.' One section of the service, lasting nearly three minutes, featured a lengthy montage of photographs of Sam along with his family and friends enjoying days out, holidays, fancy dress parties and family dinners from the time he was a young boy until he grew up to become a fine young man.
Daily Mail
26-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Moment thug who killed 'gentle' engineer with one punch after 'brushing together' on the Tube is arrested - as fury grows over 'inadequate' prison sentence that could see him released in six years
This is the moment a Tube passenger was arrested after killing a commuter who 'brushed past' him with a single punch. Rakeem Miles, 24, grabbed 'gentle' AI engineer Samuel Winter from behind with such force he tore his top in two before punching him once in the head, sending him tumbling to the floor. The brutal assault left Mr Winter fatally injured, dying in hospital two days after the attack. Miles ultimately pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He is now serving an eight-year sentence - but could be out on the streets in five and a half years. Campaigners are calling for the sentence to be revisited, branding it 'simply inadequate'. The pair had been travelling on separate carriages on the Jubilee line before disembarking at Southwark Underground station at around 9.30pm on August 22 last year. As they left the station, Mr Winter 'brushed past' Miles and continued walking. Miles stopped in his tracks for a second before following after Mr Winter, shouting after him - before grabbing him by his top and throwing a single, powerful punch which connected with the tech worker's head with such force he collapsed. The thug then fled from the scene as he left his victim - who had not interacted with him beyond passing him in Southwark Underground station - fatally hurt on the stairs. Police worked rapidly to trace Miles as paramedics took Mr Winter to hospital with a critical brain injury. They quickly used Oyster card data to trace his top-ups back to a nearby shop. When officers arrived at the shop the next morning, a worker informed them that Miles had just left moments earlier - and they stormed down the street to arrest him on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. In video footage released by the British Transport Police, Miles can be seen being restrained by police officers in the street. He appears to make no attempt to resist and bows his head as he is handcuffed and led into a police van. The charge of GBH was elevated to murder after Mr Winter - described in tributes as 'gentle, kind and patient' - died on August 24, surrounded by his family. But Miles was cleared of murder by a jury in March - instead pleading guilty to a manslaughter, for which he was sentenced on Tuesday to eight years imprisonment with a further five years on licence. He must serve at least five and a half years before he will be eligible for parole, with no guarantee of release at that time. However, the apparent levity of the sentence has sparked anger and calls for a tougher sentence. Susan Hall, leader of City Hall Conservatives, told MailOnline: 'My heart breaks. Samuel Winter brushed past someone in a Tube station - something we all do, daily - and this heartless monster took his life. 'Samuel Winter will not go home to his family and friends, he will not go back to his job, he will not live out the rest of his life, tragically cut short as it was. '(Rakeem Miles) will do five years at a push before he walks free, without any remorse or consequences beyond that. There is no justice in it at all, and I despair that this is what London has come to. 'Make no mistake - any one of us could have been Samuel Winter. My thoughts are with his family.' Campaign group Crush Crime has submitted a request to the Attorney General's Office for a review of Miles' sentence. It said in its request: 'This was an unprovoked attack, with multiple stages at which Rakeem Miles could have chosen to stop. 'A sentence of 8 years (with five and a half years before he is eligible for parole) is simply inadequate for a remorseless killer that pursued his victim for an unprovoked attack. 'It is difficult to see why such a short sentence is justified or why it is important for Rakeem Miles to be potentially out on Britain's streets, walking past members of the public, in five and a half years time. The sentence must be revisited.' A spokesperson for the Attorney General's Office confirmed that they had received a request to review Miles' sentence. They added: 'We have received a request for this sentence to be considered under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme. 'The Law Officers have 28 days from sentencing to consider the case and make a decision.' An online CV suggests Mr Winter had been working in technology for a multinational medical firm, and had volunteered with a number of Christian organisations and as a physiotherapist. Online tributes described him as 'kind, intelligent, clever... and always ready to help those in need'. Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Paul Attwell 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.' In a heart-wrenching tribute, the victim's family said: 'Sam was a very much-loved son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew and friend. 'We are devastated his life here has ended. He was a qualified physiotherapist, AI engineer and a volunteer with several charities. 'His family and friends will remember him as gentle and kind, quick-witted and funny, with deep faith and an unendingly giving spirit.'
The Sun
25-06-2025
- The Sun
Tube passenger, 23, who killed ‘gentle & kind' commuter, 28, with single punch after he brushed past him jailed for 8yrs
A TUBE passenger who killed a "gentle and kind" commuter with a single punch has been jailed for eight years. Rakeem Miles, 23, callously attacked Samuel Winter, 28, after he accidentally bumped into him on an escalator at Southwark underground station. 2 The tragedy, on August 22, was sparked at around 9.30pm when both men were travelling eastbound on the Jubilee line. In a completely unprovoked assault, Miles followed Samuel through the barriers, grabbed him and ripped his top. The 23-year-old then knocked the AI engineer to the floor with one punch to the head. He cowardly ran from the scene, leaving Samuel collapsed on the stairs, before emergency services arrived. Paramedics performed CPR and rushed the young man to hospital, where he was treated for a critical brain injury. He died two days later, surrounded by his family. British Transport Police officers located Miles by tracking his Oyster card and detained him at a shop near the station a day after the attack. Cops said Miles had given no thought to Samuel after the beating, "continuing on with his evening" as if nothing had happened. Miles, of East Street, Southwark, showed "no remorse" when he appeared at Inner London Crown Court. He denied but was convicted of manslaughter and Judge Benedict Kelleher sentenced him to eight years behind bars. Miles will also be subject to an extended licence period of five years. But the killer will be eligible for parole in less than five and a half years. In a heartbreaking tribute, the victim's family said: "Sam was a very much-loved son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew and friend. "We are devastated his life here has ended. He was a qualified physiotherapist, AI engineer and a volunteer with several charities. "His family and friends will remember him as gentle and kind, quick-witted and funny, with deep faith and an unendingly giving spirit." Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Paul Attwell added: "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."
Telegraph
25-06-2025
- Telegraph
Tube passenger killed commuter with single punch after he brushed past him
A Tube commuter was killed by a fellow passenger with a single punch in revenge for brushing past him on an escalator. Rakeem Miles, 23, knocked out Samuel Winter, 28, with a punch to the head at Southwark underground station in August last year. Mr Winter, an AI engineer, suffered a critical brain injury and died two days later in hospital. Miles was convicted of manslaughter at Inner London Crown Court on Wednesday but will serve just five and a half years of his eight-year sentence when he becomes eligible for parole. Mr Winter was making his way out of the station at 9.30pm on Aug 22 last year when he brushed past Miles on his way up the escalator. Miles then followed him and began to shout abuse before grabbing him from behind. He then inflicted a single blow to Mr Winter's head, which left him collapsed on the stairs. Miles fled the scene but was arrested by the British Transport Police at a shop near the same station the following morning, after his movements were tracked on his Oyster card. Miles denied manslaughter but was convicted and sentenced by Judge Benedict Kelleher to eight years imprisonment with an extended licence period of five years. He will serve less than five and a half years in prison before becoming eligible for parole. Mr Winter's parents, who they said had a 'deep faith', said they had 'unconditionally forgiven' Miles for his 'unprovoked and horrific assault'. They said: 'The pain of his loss is almost unbearable for us, his wider family, many friends and all the people in his community, whom he loved to help through his physiotherapy, service and personal generosity. 'We thank God, however, that his death isn't the end for us. We'll be reunited with Sam in heaven. There we'll have eternity to enjoy his company and all he is and does in the presence of our eternally loving, heavenly Father. 'That reality gives us huge hope today and will do tomorrow, until we're all together again in heaven. When we welcome God into our lives, our loving relationships are forever.' They added: 'We have unconditionally forgiven Rakeem. As followers of Jesus, we know this is the only way to freedom, peace and well-being in our hearts – to not harbour anger or bitterness. 'We and many others who knew and loved Sam, are inspired to make this world a better place by welcoming Holy Spirit to be with us and loving one another with the love He brings – just like Sam did and God wants us all to do. We welcome you to join us in doing the same.' Det Ch Insp Paul Attwell, the case's senior investigating officer, added: '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.'
BBC News
25-06-2025
- BBC News
Samuel Winter killing: Southwark Tube attacker jailed
A man has been given an eight-year prison sentence for killing Samuel Winter in a one-punch attack at Southwark Tube Miles punched Mr Winter in the head before fleeing the scene last at Inner London Crown Court heard Mr Winter had brushed past Miles on his way up the escalator, causing him to react violently. The 28-year-old sustained a critical brain injury and died two days later with his family by his were able to track down Miles, 24, through his Oyster card usage and he was arrested the day after the attack. He denied manslaughter but was convicted in March and sentenced on Wednesday. Following Miles's conviction, Mr Winter's family said: "We have lost our gentle, hugely compassionate, funny, intelligent and hard-working son Sam because of this entirely unprovoked and horrific assault."We would do anything and give everything to have Sam back with us. But he's gone for the rest of our lives."The pain of his loss is almost unbearable for us, his wider family, many friends and all the people in his community, whom he loved to help through his physiotherapy, service and personal generosity."We thank God, however, that his death isn't the end for us. We'll be reunited with Sam in heaven."The family said they had "unconditionally forgiven" Miles. British Transport Police's Det Ch Insp Paul Attwell said in a statement: "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."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." Miles, of East Street in Southwark, was also sentenced to a further 5 years on licence. He must serve just under five and a half years' imprisonment before he will be eligible for parole.
