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Rakeem Miles, 23, of East Street, Southwark, has been jailed for eight years for the manslaughter of 28-year-old Samuel Winter, whom he fatally attacked in an unprovoked assault at a London Underground station last August.
Miles was sentenced today (24 June) at Inner London Crown Court following his conviction for delivering a single fatal punch, which caused Samuel to collapse on a stairwell and suffer a catastrophic brain injury.
The Incident
The court heard that the incident took place on 22 August 2024 at around 9:30pm. Samuel had just disembarked an eastbound Jubilee line train and was making his way out of the station.
Though the two men had not spoken or interacted on the train, Miles followed Samuel after a brief brush on the escalator. As Samuel passed through the ticket barriers and exited toward the stairs, Miles shouted after him, grabbed him from behind, ripped his top, and then punched him in the head, leaving him unconscious.
Paramedics were called and administered CPR at the scene. Samuel was rushed to hospital but sadly died the following evening, on 24 August, surrounded by family.
Quick Arrest and Investigation
British Transport Police launched an immediate investigation. CCTV and Oyster card data helped detectives track down Miles, who had used his bank card to top up his Oyster card at a nearby shop the previous day. Officers arrested him outside the same shop on 23 August.
Miles showed no remorse, police said, and continued on with his evening after the violent assault.
Family Devastated
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Attwell, Senior Investigating Officer, said:
“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.”
Attwell praised the victim’s family for their strength and asked the public to respect their privacy.
“Samuel’s family described him as gentle and kind, and he will be sorely missed by all those who love him.”
The Sentence
Miles was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment, with an extended licence period of 13 years. He must serve just under five and a half years before becoming eligible for parole.
The case adds to mounting concerns about spontaneous violence in public places, with police reiterating their zero-tolerance policy for violence on the transport network.
