Sidney Samuel

Murder of a Tilbury tailor

In 1979, Paul Brumfitt, then 24, and his 16-year-old girlfriend had been arguing. It sparked in Brumfitt an eight-day spree of terror.

In July that year he beat 59 year old Sidney Samuel (shopkeeper of the tailors C. Lyndon Rhodes) to death in his shop in Dock Road, Tilbury. He then went on the run to Denmark. There, he strangled bus driver Teddy Laustrup, 40. He also wounded a pregnant woman.

In 1980, at the Old Bailey, Brumfitt was given three life sentences.

Yet, 14 years later, Brumfitt was released on license. What did he do with his newfound freedom? He killed, again.

In February 1999, Brumfitt murdered 19-year-old Marcella Ann Davis at his home in Dudley. West Midlands and tried to destroy her remains with a fire. He also raped two prostitutes at knifepoint.

In July 2000 Paul Brumfitt was convicted of murder and rape, and jailed for life.

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  • This was my Granddad and I knew he was let out but never knew that he went on to carry out even more atrocities.

    By jason white (27/10/2023)
  • Hi Cliff

    I knew of the the murder at the shop but not all the details, very interesting and that this man went on to cause so much sadness. 

    By Graham Sutcliffe (15/10/2017)

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