London:
An Indian-origin man who brutally beat his girlfriend to death at his home in England's East Midlands has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a British court.
Police described it as a case of domestic violence and said it is crucial that anyone suffering gets the support they need to end the situation before it is too late.
Raj Sidpara, a 50-year-old resident of Leicester, was convicted last week of the murder of Tarnjeet Riaz, also known as Tarnjeet Chagger, following a trial at Leicester Crown Court.
According to Leicestershire Police, Raj Sidpara was given a life sentence on Friday with a minimum term of 21 years behind bars before he was eligible for parole.
The couple had been dating for about five months and by the time emergency services were called to his home on Tarbat Road on the afternoon of May 6, Tarnjeet was already dead.
Tarnjeet, 44, was found with extensive trauma to her face and multiple broken ribs when she was found unconscious by emergency services, who were called by Sidpara.
In October, Sidpara admitted the lesser charge of manslaughter for causing the injuries to his girlfriend, but denied intending to kill her or cause her serious harm.
The court heard his victim suffered injuries including “two huge black eyes”, brain haemorrhages and 20 rib fractures. “You have steadfastly refused to explain what you did and why,” Judge William Harbage said as he addressed the suspect in the courtroom.
“What is clear is that you attacked her in a savage and brutal manner; you punched, kicked and stamped on her in a sustained attack,” a BBC inquest report said.
The court heard that Sidpara had been diagnosed with alcohol dependence syndrome and had been convicted 24 times for 46 offences, including threats to kill and harassment of previous girlfriends and people associated with them.
Sidpara's conviction comes as Leicestershire Police said it has joined organizations around the world to support 'White Ribbon Day', aimed at taking targeted action on violence against women and girls.
“Tarnjeet was murdered by someone she was in a relationship with. Someone who should have supported and protected her, not someone she should have feared would brutally attack her,” said Detective Chief Inspector Emma Matts.
'While the person responsible will now spend many years behind bars, Tarnjeet's family is left with so many questions and the overwhelming feeling of wondering if they could have done more.
We know that domestic violence is very complex. Often victims don't want to share the details of what happens behind closed doors with family and friends, let alone the police, but it is crucial that anyone suffering gets the support they need to find closure Stop the abuse before it's too late. she said.
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