A man with two children was reportedly kidnapped by individuals posing as Interpol officers, then transported over 100 miles, tortured, and set on fire following the loss of £1 million worth of cigarettes. The court proceedings revealed that Tomasz Samel, aged 45, was taken from Birmingham to the Liverpool area in 2019, where he endured a horrifying experience.
Despite sustaining severe injuries, Samel was left stranded in a remote location but managed to seek help at a stranger’s residence. However, he passed away in the hospital three months later from the injuries sustained during the ordeal. Prosecutors claim that the incident was a form of retribution for the interception of illegal and counterfeit cigarettes brought into the UK from Poland.
During the trial at Birmingham Crown Court, Harpreet Sandhu KC asserted that the accused group, comprising Neil Jones, Kevin Wooden, Kye Arthur, and Tobiasz Kozlowski, were responsible for Samel’s murder and had planned to teach him a lesson by taking him to an isolated area. The defendants deny charges of murder and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.
Witnesses recounted that Samel was forcibly taken in a white Peugeot Boxer van to Merseyside, where he was tortured and severely injured before being set on fire. Despite the torture, Samel managed to reach help at a stranger’s home. The court further heard that Jones and Kozlowski were allegedly present during the torture, while Wooden and Arthur were accused of conspiring in the attack.
Authorities seized cigarettes from a property linked to Samel in Birmingham, and paramedics reported that Samel suffered extensive burns, with significant damage to his genitals. The court was informed that Samel was likely naked and sitting at the time he was set ablaze. Jones pleaded guilty to manslaughter and related charges, while the others denied manslaughter accusations.
Kozlowski denied specific charges related to kidnapping and false imprisonment, whereas Jones, Wooden, and Arthur admitted involvement in the conspiracy. It was revealed that Wooden fled the country after a reward was offered for his capture, but he was eventually arrested and extradited from the Dominican Republic in 2025.
The ongoing trial continues to uncover details of the tragic incident and the alleged roles of the individuals involved.
