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Stabbing in Hayes
Kirandeep Kaur, 24, was stabbed to death after a knifeman burst into her home as she slept in Hayes, west London, on Sunday morning, and Metropolitan Police said they quickly found a 44-year-old man nearby who matched the description of the suspect.
“This is the first picture of a Sikh woman allegedly stabbed to death when a knifeman burst into her home as she slept”
Metro reported that Kirandeep had given birth just a few weeks earlier and that her parents, Sukhdev Singh and Baljeet Kaur, sold all of their farmland in the Punjab, India so she could move to the United Kingdom nearly two years ago on a student visa.
The Old Bailey heard that Daniel Sean James, 46, broke into the home shared with her husband and three-month-old baby, and the court was told that Mrs Kaur suffered a stab wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 8.26am.
The Times of India said a man, aged in his 20s, was also found outside the property with stab injuries and that his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, while NDTV said the husband was found outside with stab injuries and rushed to hospital.
A Metropolitan police spokesperson quoted by The Times of India said: “Although there is no evidence this was a hate crime at this stage, investigators are keeping an open mind and exploring every line of enquiry.”
Charges and court dates
Daniel Sean James was charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of a bladed article, and Metro said he was charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.
The Old Bailey heard that James jumped out of a window and broke both ankles before being detained by police nearby, and the court was told that from the first alleged sighting of the defendant to the arrival of police took around 24 minutes.
Metro said a Met spokesperson told reporters: “Although there is no evidence this was a hate crime at this stage, investigators are keeping an open mind and exploring every line of enquiry.”
The Times of India reported that James appeared at Willesden magistrates court on Tuesday with no plea entered and was remanded in custody to next appear at the Old Bailey on Aug 11.
The Times of India also quoted Kirandeep’s elder brother Lovepreet Singh, 27, saying the family sold half an acre of land and that it appeared to be “a racist attack.”
Family demands and community
Kirandeep’s family told local media PTC News that an unidentified assailant entered her bedroom and attacked her with a sharp-edged weapon in what they believed was a racist attack, and they demanded her body be brought back to India and those responsible be brought to justice.
“Kirandeep Kaur, a 24-year-old new mother, was allegedly stabbed to death by a knifeman who burst into her home in Hayes, west London, as she slept”
PTC News said the family appealed to the Punjab government, the Government of India and the Indian High Commission in the UK to ensure justice and requested governments to facilitate repatriation of Kirandeep’s mortal remains so last rites could be performed in her native village.
Metro quoted Kirandeep’s father Sukhdev Singh and mother Baljeet Kaur as having sold their farmland in the Punjab, India, and it said they hoped she would build a better future for the family and eventually help her siblings settle overseas.
The Sikh Press Association spokesperson Jasveer Singh, quoted by The Times of India, said: “Many British Sikhs remain concerned about increased race-based attacks on the community in the UK, most of which seem to target our vulnerable (elderly and women. )”
NDTV reported that police have arrested Daniel Sean James and said the condition of their child, born just a few weeks ago, remains unknown, while the husband’s stab injuries were treated at hospital.
