Local News · Bristol
Bristol man jailed for role in brutal kidnapping and murder of father
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Four men, including a Bristol resident, have been sentenced for their roles in the kidnapping and murder of Tomasz Samel, who was targeted over a cigarette smuggling dispute.
A Bristol man is among four individuals who have been sentenced for their roles in the kidnapping and subsequent murder of 45-year-old Tomasz Samel, a case that unfolded following a major illegal cigarette smuggling operation. The victim, a father of two, was abducted from his home in Handsworth, Birmingham, in March 2019 by individuals posing as Interpol officers.
Kye Arthur, 35, of Bristol, was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 22 years in prison. Kevin Wooden, 46, also convicted of manslaughter, received a 23-year sentence. The prosecution revealed that Wooden had purchased a high-visibility vest and a police-style earpiece to disguise the group as law enforcement during the abduction.
The court heard that the kidnapping was orchestrated to target Mr Samel following the seizure of 10 million illegal cigarettes by HMRC from a storage unit in Aston, Birmingham. Gang leaders Tobiasz Kozlowski, 38, and Neil Jones, 48, held the victim responsible for the loss. After being driven to the Liverpool area, Mr Samel was subjected to severe torture and set on fire. Despite managing to reach a nearby property to seek help, he died of his injuries three months later.
Chief Supt Scott Griffiths of West Midlands Police described the incident as the work of a significant organised crime group whose operations spanned multiple countries, including Poland, Greece, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. He noted that the investigation into the movements and communications of the group was complex and lasted several years.
Kozlowski and Jones were both found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Additionally, Sandra Kozlowska, 38, of Kirkby, was given a three-year suspended sentence for assisting an offender. The conviction and sentencing follow an international investigation that involved police forces and agencies across Europe and beyond.
Source: Bristol Post · View original