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Life term for curry poison killer | Life term for curry poison killer |
(40 minutes later) | |
A woman found guilty of murdering her former lover of 16 years by poisoning his curry at his west London home has been jailed for life. | A woman found guilty of murdering her former lover of 16 years by poisoning his curry at his west London home has been jailed for life. |
Lakhvinder Cheema, 39, died hours after eating the meal with his new fiancee at his home in Feltham in January 2009. | Lakhvinder Cheema, 39, died hours after eating the meal with his new fiancee at his home in Feltham in January 2009. |
At the Old Bailey, Lakhvir Singh, 45, was convicted of his murder and will serve a minimum term of 23 years. | At the Old Bailey, Lakhvir Singh, 45, was convicted of his murder and will serve a minimum term of 23 years. |
Sentencing her, Judge Paul Worsley said: "You set about a cold and calculating revenge." | Sentencing her, Judge Paul Worsley said: "You set about a cold and calculating revenge." |
"You were not just a spurned lover, you did not simply explode in anger at your rejection." | "You were not just a spurned lover, you did not simply explode in anger at your rejection." |
On Wednesday, Singh, of Southall, was cleared of attempting to murder Gurjeet Choongh, Mr Cheema's fiancee. | On Wednesday, Singh, of Southall, was cleared of attempting to murder Gurjeet Choongh, Mr Cheema's fiancee. |
I would like to reassure the public that cases such as these are incredibly rare Det Insp Tony Bishop | |
However, the jury found the defendant guilty of causing Ms Choongh grievous bodily harm with intent. | However, the jury found the defendant guilty of causing Ms Choongh grievous bodily harm with intent. |
After deliberating for a further day, the jury cleared Singh of a charge of administering poison to Mr Cheema in December 2008, a month before his death. | After deliberating for a further day, the jury cleared Singh of a charge of administering poison to Mr Cheema in December 2008, a month before his death. |
On that occasion Mr Cheema was discharged from hospital after a week but doctors were unable to say what had caused his sickness. | On that occasion Mr Cheema was discharged from hospital after a week but doctors were unable to say what had caused his sickness. |
The jury heard Singh could not bear the thought of her lover's marriage to 22-year-old Miss Choongh and laced the food with Indian aconite, known as the Queen of Poisons. | The jury heard Singh could not bear the thought of her lover's marriage to 22-year-old Miss Choongh and laced the food with Indian aconite, known as the Queen of Poisons. |
After her arrest Singh, a mother-of-three, tried to blame her brother-in-law Varinder for the death. | After her arrest Singh, a mother-of-three, tried to blame her brother-in-law Varinder for the death. |
But a lodger at the house saw her take a container with the curry out of the fridge earlier in the day, the court heard. | But a lodger at the house saw her take a container with the curry out of the fridge earlier in the day, the court heard. |
Lakhvinder Cheema was known as Lucky | Lakhvinder Cheema was known as Lucky |
The court heard that after the engagement became final in November 2008, Singh went to India and returned three weeks later. Another week later, Mr Cheema was taken to hospital. | The court heard that after the engagement became final in November 2008, Singh went to India and returned three weeks later. Another week later, Mr Cheema was taken to hospital. |
Miss Choongh gave evidence in the trial detailing how the couple fell ill while discussing their wedding plans. | Miss Choongh gave evidence in the trial detailing how the couple fell ill while discussing their wedding plans. |
"Lucky said to me 'I am not feeling very well. My face has become numb and when I touch it, I cannot feel it'." | "Lucky said to me 'I am not feeling very well. My face has become numb and when I touch it, I cannot feel it'." |
Ms Choongh had a shower and then said she began feeling similar symptoms. | Ms Choongh had a shower and then said she began feeling similar symptoms. |
"He said that everything seemed to be going dark. He could not see anything and was losing feelings in his body," Ms Choongh said. | "He said that everything seemed to be going dark. He could not see anything and was losing feelings in his body," Ms Choongh said. |
He died within an hour of arriving at the West Middlesex Hospital. | He died within an hour of arriving at the West Middlesex Hospital. |
The last thing Ms Choongh remembers is sitting on a hospital bed before being placed in a coma for two days while doctors traced the poison and gave her an antidote. | The last thing Ms Choongh remembers is sitting on a hospital bed before being placed in a coma for two days while doctors traced the poison and gave her an antidote. |
Police later found traces of the poison among herbs in Singh's coat pocket and in her handbag. | Police later found traces of the poison among herbs in Singh's coat pocket and in her handbag. |
'Feel emptiness' | |
Miss Choongh said in a victim impact statement she still suffers the stress of having been close to death. | Miss Choongh said in a victim impact statement she still suffers the stress of having been close to death. |
"I still do not feel fully recovered and I believe it will affect me for the rest of my life," she said. | "I still do not feel fully recovered and I believe it will affect me for the rest of my life," she said. |
Mr Cheema's sister, Narinder Singh, 48, who is also the sister-in-law of Lakhvir Singh's husband, said in a statement: "When he was around I never felt that I needed anyone. | Mr Cheema's sister, Narinder Singh, 48, who is also the sister-in-law of Lakhvir Singh's husband, said in a statement: "When he was around I never felt that I needed anyone. |
"Now I feel as if there is only emptiness in my life." | "Now I feel as if there is only emptiness in my life." |
Crown Prosecution Service lawyer Michael Mulkerrins said: "[Lakhvir Singh's] actions caused devastating consequences and I hope that today's verdicts provide some comfort to all of those affected." | |
Det Insp Tony Bishop said: "I would like to reassure the public that cases such as these are incredibly rare." | |
"Our thoughts are now with Lucky's family and Gurjeet." |