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Sikh leader attack: Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji attacked 'in revenge' Sikh leader attack: Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji attacked 'in revenge'
(about 5 hours later)
A Sikh religious leader was attacked with an axe at a temple in revenge for alleged sexual abuse, a jury has heard.A Sikh religious leader was attacked with an axe at a temple in revenge for alleged sexual abuse, a jury has heard.
Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji, described by police as the worldwide spiritual head of the Namdhari community, was assaulted at the Gurdwara Namdhari Temple in Leicester.Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji, described by police as the worldwide spiritual head of the Namdhari community, was assaulted at the Gurdwara Namdhari Temple in Leicester.
Harjit Singh Toor, 27, has admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent but denies attempted murder.Harjit Singh Toor, 27, has admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent but denies attempted murder.
The victim was attacked on 11 August, during a visit to the UK from India. The prosecution alleges it was motivated by "religious hatred".
The victim was attacked on 11 August, just hours after arriving in the UK from India.
The prosecution compared his position for Namdharis to that of the Pope for the Roman Catholic faith.The prosecution compared his position for Namdharis to that of the Pope for the Roman Catholic faith.
Kicked by worshippers Birmingham Crown Court was shown video footage of the moment he was attacked, suffering a broken arm and facial injuries.
Birmingham Crown Court has been shown video footage of the moment he was attacked, suffering a broken arm and facial injuries. Opening the case, prosecutor Gordon Aspden said Toor, of Woods Close, Oadby, Leicestershire, was motivated by religious hatred for his victim.
The court saw worshippers wrestling the defendant to the ground and kicking him. He said: "Although the defendant is an orthodox Sikh he was dressed like a Namdhari, wearing a white turban.
Gordon Aspden, prosecuting, said Toor would say he carried out the attack because he claims he was sexually abused by the religious leader 20 years ago in India. "That manner of dress meant he was able to walk into the gurdwara without being challenged.
The prosecution said it did not believe the allegation was true, but Toor had a crystal clear motive to kill the victim, whether motivated by religious hatred or revenge. "He walked down the central aisle... and when he reached the platform, the defendant pulled back his shawl and produced an axe that he had concealed underneath it.
The jury will be shown evidence of Toor, from Woods Close, Oadby, Leicestershire, buying an axe from B&Q two days before the visit. "He then attacked the guru with the axe.
The trial continues. "The guru's assistant, with great bravery, moved forward and managed to shield his master."
Shortly after the attack, he was heard to say that "his guru" was the Sikh holy book and he did not believe in a living guru, the court was told.
In his attack, Toor swung the 3ft long axe three times, breaking his victim's arm as he tried to protect himself and slashing his face, jurors were told.
The court saw CCTV footage which showed worshippers wrestling the defendant to the ground and kicking him.
Mr Aspden said Toor is likely to say he carried out the attack because he claims he was sexually abused by the religious leader 20 years ago in India.
The prosecution said it did not believe the allegation was true, but Toor had a "crystal clear motive" to kill the victim, whether motivated by religious hatred or revenge.
The jury will be shown evidence of Toor buying an axe from B&Q two days before the visit.
The trial is expected to last a week.