Local News · Bristol
Bristol man jailed for role in kidnapping and death of father-of-two
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
A 35-year-old Bristol man has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for his part in the kidnap and manslaughter of Tomasz Samel, who was tortured and set alight.
A 35-year-old man from Bristol has been jailed for 22 years following his conviction for the manslaughter of a father-of-two who was kidnapped and subjected to a fatal attack in 2019. Kye Arthur, of Copley Gardens, was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court after being found guilty of manslaughter alongside 46-year-old Kevin Wooden of Banbury, who received a 23-year term.
The victim, 45-year-old Tomasz Samel, was abducted from his home in Handsworth, Birmingham, in March 2019 by men posing as Interpol officers. He was driven to the Liverpool area, where he was attacked and set alight. Mr Samel died in hospital three months later as a result of his severe injuries.
The court heard that the incident was linked to the loss of a large quantity of illicit cigarettes, valued at approximately £1 million, which had been seized by HM Revenue and Customs from a unit in Birmingham. The two lead organisers of the criminal operation, Neil Jones and Tobiasz Kozlowski, were sentenced to life imprisonment with minimum terms of 34 and 33 years respectively after being convicted of murder and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.
In his sentencing remarks, Mr Justice Wall described the case as a truly horrific series of events. He noted that the victim was particularly vulnerable at the time of the assault, being naked and outnumbered. The judge emphasised that the method of violence chosen, involving fire, left no room for controlled injury, ultimately leading to the victim's death following months of significant physical and mental suffering.
The investigation into Mr Samel's death was extensive, requiring cooperation across multiple borders including Poland, Greece, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Colombia, France, Scotland and Wales. The Crown Prosecution Service highlighted the complexity of the case, noting that Kye Arthur and his co-defendants had been recruited to act as delivery staff and false law enforcement officers to facilitate the kidnapping.
Sandra Kozlowska, aged 38, was also sentenced to three years' imprisonment, suspended for three years, for assisting an offender by hiding evidence and moving money to help her husband avoid capture.
Source: Bristol Post · View original