A 32-year-old man has been sentenced to over ten years in prison after carrying out a violent five-day crime spree across the West Midlands, which involved stabbing two elderly people and robbing another.
Gurkirat Singh of no fixed address, who came to the UK less than a year prior, targeted three vulnerable pensioners, including an 80-year-old woman with impaired vision and mobility issues, a 75-year-old woman on her way to church, and a landlord who had offered Singh accommodation out of kindness.
The first incident occurred on March 11 when Singh attacked Irene Allen, who was walking along Redhouse Street in Walsall. Despite using a walking stick and having impaired sight, Ms Allen was violently pulled to the ground as Singh stole her handbag containing her phone, bus pass, house keys, and cash. She sustained bleeding injuries and was taken to hospital, her coat soaked with blood.
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The following day, Singh assaulted landlord Sukhdev Sidhu after an argument at a flat Singh was staying in. When Mr Sidhu attempted to ask Singh to find alternative accommodation, Singh responded by repeatedly stabbing him with a kitchen knife. Mr Sidhu required 12 stitches for wounds to his head and hand. The blade broke during the attack and was recovered in hospital.
Three days later, Singh attacked 75-year-old Dianne Bromfield in Wolverhampton. As she walked to church, Singh grabbed her handbag and, when she resisted, struck her several times on the head with a kitchen knife before fleeing with her belongings.
Police arrested Singh shortly after, recovering the bloodied knife and noting injuries on his hands. He attempted to alter his appearance following the crimes by shaving his beard and cutting his hair but was identified by Ms Bromfield during an identity parade.
Court proceedings revealed that Singh had previously led a successful life in India as a qualified pharmacist and lab owner before moving to the UK on a student visa. However, Singh became homeless and developed a serious class A drug addiction, which defence counsel described as a key factor in the offending.
During sentencing at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Judge Laura Hobson emphasised the vulnerability of the elderly victims and the serious harm caused. Although Singh had no previous convictions, she noted the offences were committed within a short time after his arrival in the UK and involved significant violence. Singh pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery, two counts of wounding with intent, and possession of a knife.
He was sentenced to 10 years and eight months in prison. The judge also remarked that decisions about deportation would be left to the Home Secretary. Singh accepted that his response during the landlord’s attack was excessive, acknowledging he could not claim self-defence.
This case highlights the severe impact of violent crime on vulnerable members of the community and the consequences for those responsible.