Michael Sams: Kidnapper Killer is the revelatory true crime story of the coordinated efforts of two British police forces to bring to justice the kidnapper and murderer Michael Sams. Using never before heard secretly recorded tapes, which contain Sams’ only confession to his terrible crimes, this film will recount the incredible twists and turns of a deadly cat and mouse game between coppers and kidnapper over two years.

Michael Sams was, on the face of it, an unassuming man who became one of Britain’s most wanted criminals. First came the abduction of Julie Dart, a ‘prostitute’ abducted from the streets of Chapeltown in Leeds. A crime which caused a ripple effect of fear and anger in a city just recovering from the campaign of terror by the Ripper. Was a copycat killer at work?

After being taken to a warehouse and kept in a coffin like box Julie was murdered by Sams with a hammer and nine days later her body dumped in a field. This was now a murder investigation and the perpetrator seemed to enjoy playing games with the police. A sequence of ransom demands and letters, which we have access to, had been sent during Julie’s disappearance.  Sams wanted the story to be The Kidnapper and The Copper – but the police were clever – and would never agree to Sams’ demands during the investigation – they would never give him that recognition. We’ll show the audience how Sams tried and how the police refused to play his game – and through a series of mistakes Sams made he was eventually brought to justice. But all through the trial he never confessed to the murder of Julie Dart. So her family were always left wondering exactly what happened – until now.

Tapes that have been hidden for 30 years have now come to light – and for the first time can be heard in public.

Coverage

“SHE WAS TERRIFIED OF ME One-legged kidnap killer Michael Sams reveals twisted reason he murdered teen in chilling never-before-heard tapes”

Grant Rollings, The Sun

“Secret police tapes that reveal how the monster who kidnapped Stephanie Slater abducted and killed a teenage girl in a chilling dress rehearsal”

Rod Chaytor, The Mail on Sunday

“One-legged killer reveals chilling reason he murdered teen in never-before-heard tapes”

Lizzie McAllister, The Daily Star

“How to watch new documentary on kidnapper killer Michael Sams”

Laura Reid, The Yorkshire Post

“Michael Sams the Kidnapper Killer's secret confession to Julie Dart murder heard for first time”

Charles Gray, LeedsLive

“Michael Sams: Kidnapper Killer - The chilling murder confession in the dining hall of an East Yorkshire prison”

James Campell, Hull Live