GUILTY: One-Punch Tube Station Killer

Punch: Rakeem Miles

A vicious thug killed a fellow tube train passenger for simply brushing past him on the escalator.

Rakeem Miles, 23, pursued 28 year-old charity volunteer Samuel Winter at Southwark Underground Station following the slight contact.

At Inner London Crown Court Miles, of East Street, Walworth was convicted of manslaughter for the single fatal punch.

British Transport Police have not commented on whether there was a racial motive.

He will be sentenced on May 8.

The court heard how, on Thursday, August 22, last year at approximately 9.30pm, physiotherapist Samuel arrived at the station, having travelled on the eastbound Jubilee Line. 

Miles 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, who immediately reached out to grab him.

Samuel passed through the ticket barrier and headed for the exit stairs, with Miles following a few seconds later, shouting after him. 

Miles then reached out to Samuel, grabbing him from behind so aggressively he ripped his top in two.

He pulled Samuel to face him and punched him once in the head before leaving him collapsed on the stairs.

Paramedics attended and Samuel received CPR before he was taken to hospital with a critical brain injury. 

Meanwhile, BTP had been made aware and an investigation was launched. 

Innocent Victim: Samuel

Following overnight enquiries, it was discovered that Miles had topped up his Oyster card at a shop near the station the day before.

Officers attended the shop on the morning of August 23 and a member of staff informed them Miles had just left the shop. 

He was found outside and arrested on suspicion of Grievous Bodily Harm.

Sadly, on the evening of Saturday, August 24, Samuel died at hospital with his family by his side.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Paul Attwell said: “This was a truly tragic incident where one person’s actions and one punch has changed the lives of Samuel’s family forever. 

“Samuel’s family described him as gentle and kind, and he will be sorely missed by all those who love him. 

“I hope this outcome helps to bring them some peace and 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’m glad to see this conviction.”

More Points On Driving Licence For Speeding Lord

A Tory peer has received three penalty points on his licence for speeding, just two months after getting it back after a six-month driving ban.

Benjamin Lloyd Stormont Mancroft, 67, the 3rd Baron Mancroft was caught on camera speeding in a 20mph zone in west London.

He did not appear for his trial at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court this week, where his written application to adjourn the case was refused.

The Eton-educated businessman, whose London address is a £1.25m two-bedroom flat in Harrington Gardens, South Kensington complained he would not be in the capital for the trial.

Lord Mancroft was convicted of driving his silver two-litre diesel Mercedes-Benz on the A4 Cromwell Road, Earl’s Court in excess of 20mph on July 30, last year.

The court heard a summons was posted to the South Kensington address on January 22, informing the peer of the trial date and the fact it would go ahead in his absence.

In an email to the court earlier this month Lord Mancroft wrote: “I don’t live in London,” applying for the trial to be heard within one of three date windows he provided.

However, he gave no reason for why he was unable to attend and the magistrates pressed ahead with the trial, noting all defendants should be treated equally, regardless of title.

Prosecutor Philip Simpson told the court Lord Mancroft was recorded speeding at 26.8mph at 1.47pm and his driving record was so serious he was ineligible for a driving awareness course or a fixed penalty fine.

“He has a whole lot of points on his licence. He has at least twelve points on his driving licence.”

The court heard Lord Mancroft was disqualified from driving for six months on August 14, last year after accumulating at least twelve penalty points.

“He did not have a licence to send in for a fixed penalty,” explained Mr Simpson.

In his financial means form Lord Mancroft did not provide details of his income and regarding the nature of his employment simply answered: ‘Don’t know.’

Lord Mancroft, who only got his driving licence back on February 14, this year received a £220 fine, plus £200 costs and was ordered to pay an £88 victim surcharge.

The married father-of-three also received three penalty points.

The peer inherited his title from his father Stormont Mancroft, the 2nd Baron Mancroft in 1987.

Jamie Redknapp Hit With Twelve-Month Speeding Ban

Former footballer and current SKY soccer pundit Jamie Redknapp has been banned from driving for twelve months for clocking-up multiple speeding offences.

It was the 51 year-old ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC star’s second driving ban for speeding, meaning he was disqualified for twice the usual length of time. 

The former England international, who lives in a six-bedroom £10.5m house in Bedford Gardens, Kensington did not appear at Bexley Magistrates Court.

He pleaded guilty in advance of the hearing and declared his income to the court as £9,230 per week.

Redknapp pleaded guilty to exceeding the 20mph limit on June 26, last year on the A219 Putney Hill, near the junction of Westleigh Avenue, Putney, where a camera snapped him doing 26mph.

He also admitted exceeding the 50mph limit on November 2, last year 

on the M4 near Burghfield, Reading, where he was snapped at 58mph.

On both occasions Redknapp was driving a brand new black electric Audi Q8.

The ten-minute hearing was told Redknapp currently has twelve penalty points on his licence and today’s penalty points were his second ‘totting’ offence.

He was informed he was liable to disqualification via post prior to the hearing.

Redknapp previously received six points for speeding on March 5, 2024; three points for speeding on May 2, 2023 and three more points for speeding on March 15, last year.

In 2021 he received a six-month driving ban for receiving twelve penalty points.

Today, he was fined total of £292; plus £200 costs and was ordered to pay a £116 victim surcharge.

Redknapp also received three penalty points on each of the two new speeding offences.

“As a totter for the second time the defendant is disqualified from driving for twelve months from now and the total fines and costs has to be paid within twenty-eight days and we make a collection order,” announced bench chairwoman Daniele Spens.

Louis Vuitton Bag Nicked On Train

An audacious thief persuaded the owner of a designer bag to place it on their train carriage's overhead rack before walking off with it at a later stop.

The male victim was carrying his Louis Vuitton Keepball bag and was onboard a service leaving London Euston at 5.53pm on Saturday, January 25.

Another passenger asked him to place the expensive bag on the overhead storage rack.

When the train pulled into Milton Keynes Central the mystery passenger departed the service, taking the bag with him.

Now British Transport Police (BTP) have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

Investigating officers are appealing to members of the public to assist identify him.

Officers believe the man in the image may have information that can help their investigation.

If you recognise him, or have any information, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 2500009760.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Hate Crime Investigation: Couple Racially Abused On Train

Transport cops are requesting help investigating a hate crime on the rail network.

A couple travelling between Nuneaton and Stanstead Airport at approximately 5.50pm on March 2 were subjected to racial abuse.

British Transport Police (BTP) are treating the incident as a racially-aggravated public order offence.

Investigating officers have released this image of their suspect.

They are appealing to members of the public to assist them identify the mystery male.

Anyone who recognises him, or has any other information, is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 431 of 02/03/25.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Immigrant Family Vow To Fight Fake Afghan Charge

Gurbakhsh & Guljeet

An immigrant family, accused of masquerading as Afghan nationals to illegally claim asylum in the UK, were in court again today to confirm all four will fight the case.

The husband, wife, son and daughter-in-law are said to have made the claim when they arrived at Heathrow Airport in December, 2023, having already twice failed to obtain visas as declared Indian citizens.

They all appeared at Croydon Crown Court and two of them were assisted by a Punjabi interpreter.

They are: Gurbakhsh Singh, 72, wife Ardet Kaur, 68, son Guljeet Singh, 44, and his wife Kawaljeet Kaur, 37.

The seven-day trial has been scheduled for February 2, next year.

Today, three members of the family - all except Kawaljeet Kaur - denied the two charges against each of them.

They all pleaded not guilty to a charge of arriving in the UK without entry clearance on December 23, 2023.

They also all pleaded not guilty to a charge of entering the UK without a passport on the same date, failing at a leave to remain/asylum interview to be in possession of an immigration document to establish their identity, nationality and citizenship.

Kawaljeet Kaur had already denied these same charges at the previous hearing.

Kawaljeet & Ardet

The family were each further granted unconditional bail to return for the trial next year. 

It is alleged they had all previously declared themselves to be Indian nationals and provided documentary evidence in two failed visa applications three months earlier.

The entire family, plus two children who arrived with them, were initially housed at Wembley’s Holiday Inn, but now all reside together in Savoy Close, Hemel Hempstead.

They have complained that press reporting of the case has resulted in them being recognised and stopped in the street and led to a TikTok video.

Their lawyers also claim any jury could potentially be prejudiced due to the nature of the publicity, but today an application to prevent reporting of the case was dismissed by Judge Antony Dunne.

Tube Passengers Save Teen Girl From Creep

Tube train passengers saved a teenage girl from the unwanted attention of a mystery creep.

British Transport Police (BTP) are now hunting the unknown male and have released this CCTV image.

At approximately 11.15pm on Wednesday, February 19 the victim was travelling on a Northern Line London Underground train between Stockwell and South Wimbledon.

She was on the receiving end of unwanted sexual remarks from a male passenger who then deliberately sat next to her.

He sexually assaulted her, prompting other passengers to intervene and the man left the train at South Wimbledon.

Officers believe the man in the CCTV images may have information that could help their investigation.

BTP are requesting the assistance of the public to assist their identification of him.

Anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV, or has any other information, is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 20 of 19 February.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Suspected Fare Dodger Attacked Underground Worker

A suspected fare dodger attacked a member of London Underground staff when challenged for trying to force his way through a ticket barrier.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image of their suspect.

They are appealing to members of the public to assist investigating officers identify the mystery male.

At approximately 6.45am on Thursday, February 20 at Bounds Green Underground Station the employee challenged a man, who attempted to get through the barrier without a ticket.

The man then pushed the member of staff, causing him to drop his Transport for London radio.

The male then picked up the radio and walked off with it before later throwing it onto the tracks.

He returned to the victim and made threats of violence against him before attacking him causing injuries to his eye. 

Officers would like to speak to the man pictured as they believe he could have information that could help the investigation.

Anyone who recognises him, or has any other information, is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 99 of 20 February.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Jailed: Boyfriend Who Stabbed Partner To Death In Crawley Train Station Car Park

A “controlling and coercive partner” who stabbed his fellow Mauritian girlfriend to death in a train station car park has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Jason Flore, 26, must serve a minimum of twenty-one years behind bars for the murder of 19 year-old Stephanie Marie at Crawley train station on Sunday, August 18, last year.

He was convicted after a two-and-a-half week trial at Hove Crown Court.

The couple were seen at approximately 7.05am with Flore described as being very aggressive and waving his hands at Stephanie, who was visibly upset and distressed.

Meanwhile, at 7.18am, a 999 call was made calling for an ambulance, reporting a woman – Stephanie – had been stabbed. 

The caller stated she was not breathing, but they needed to leave for their train and the number was later confirmed to belong to Flore.

Flore was seen by the witness walking away from the train station car park, accompanied by his dog, and wearing a red jacket. 

The female witness took pictures of him as he did so. 

Flore then attempted to travel on a bus but was refused travel – he had at this point taken off his jacket, but still wore a pair of joggers with blood on the knee. 

Flore continued to make his way towards the town centre.

Paramedics and officers attended the station where young mother Stephanie was located with a stab wound to the chest.

While paramedics worked to save Stephanie, a search that included an armed response continued to look for Flore.

Flore was located and stopped near Haslett Avenue East, heading towards Three Bridges railway station at 8am, at which point he told officers: “She did it to herself.” 

He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder by armed officers from Sussex Police.

Sadly, despite the best efforts of paramedics, Stephanie was pronounced dead at 8.16am and Flore was further arrested for murder minutes later.

Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Sam Blackburn said: “Stephanie was a young woman with a whole life ahead of her to enjoy, but had it stolen away by a controlling and coercive partner. 

“She was a much loved daughter, sister, and mother who enjoyed sports, music – especially playing guitar, and had ambitions to be a hairdresser.”

Guest Repeatedly Smashed Gin Glass Into Host's Face

Gin Glass: Gumbrell

A female houseguest who “can’t expect mercy” for repeatedly smashing a gin glass into the face of the nurse host, avoided prison with a suspended sentence yesterday.

The female victim needed thirty stitches around her right eye and feels fortunate she has not lost her sight.

Lucy Gumbrell, 30, was under the influence of alcohol and drugs when she turned on nurse Fairlie Ward, who had just met her for the first time, at her south London home.

Gumbrell, of Jerningham Road, New Cross pleaded guilty on the day of her trial at Inner London Crown Court to inflicting grievous bodily harm on the victim on September 23, 2023.

She received eighteen months imprisonment, suspended for twenty-one months and must complete 150 hours community service, plus twenty-five days of rehabilitation.

“Ordinarily anyone who takes a glass to another person’s face three times cannot expect mercy for causing the injuries you caused, but this is an exceptional  case in my judgement,” announced Judge Nathaniel Rudolf KC.

Gumbrell arrived at the address with a male friend, who knew Ms Ward and began drinking.

“The victim asked you to stop shouting at that male friend of hers,” Judge Rudolf told Gumbrell.

“You had a large round gin glass in your hand and you smashed it into her face and it broke and you hit her again twice with the broken glass and you cut yourself a left.

“She attended Accident and Emergency the next day, where she received thirty stitches and says she feels lucky to have her sight.

“She needed stitches around her right eye and when she sees the scars around her eye it reminds her of that day.

“Ms Ward says she suffers ‘anxiety and depression’ as a result and has suffered sleepless nights.

“She has not returned to her role as a nurse because of the physical and emotional scars.

“The custody threshold is passed,” added the judge, who read pre-sentence and psychiatric reports. “You did not know the victim and this was a ghastly attack that you perpetrated on Ms Ward.

“The prosecution say this was a ‘highly-dangerous weapon’ when you struck out with it, a broken glass on the second and third occasion.

“The defence say it was not a ‘highly-dangerous weapon’ as it was not a firearm, knife or acid.

“Most right-thinking members of the public would think a broken glass was a ‘highly-dangerous weapon’ but in my judgement I cannot say it is a definition I have to apply.

“You had consumed drugs and alcohol at the time and there were three blows, not just one. I accept that you are horrified and shocked by what you did.”

Judge Rudolf also took into account Gumbrell’s abusive childhood and abuse at the hands of a partner when she was a teenager.

“You are a risk to the public, but on the other hand you have no previous record of not responding to court orders because there have not been any court orders.

“You now have accommodation, a job and have weaned yourself off of drugs.”

Judge Rudolf ordered Gumbrell to return to court on July 1 to enable him to review her progress.