A man who assaulted his girlfriend by punching, kicking and stomping her to death, then leaving her to sleep, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years.
Raj Sidpara, 50, was found guilty of murdering Tarunjeet Riaz, also known by her maiden name Chagger, at Leicester Crown Court last week.
The court was told that Riaz had severe trauma to her face, multiple broken ribs and bleeding on her brain when she was found unresponsive at Sidpara's home address.
Judge Harbage said Sidpara attacked Riaz in a “savage and merciless manner”.
“You punched, kicked and stomped on her in a sustained attack,” he told the defendant. “Your conspicuous lack of remorse at every stage was extremely remarkable. You steadfastly refused to explain what you had done or why.”
Sidpara, who has been diagnosed with alcoholism syndrome, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in October but denied murder.
The man is suspected of attacking and killing Riaz after a night out in the early hours of May 6, and initially told police that she was drunk and had fallen. After the attack, he went to bed and slept until morning.
By the time Sidpara called emergency services on the afternoon of May 6, Riaz was already dead.
The BBC reported that the court heard that the couple had been dating for about five months and that Sidpara was “prone to outbursts of anger”. He has 24 convictions for a variety of offenses, including assault, making death threats, and harassing and assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
Riaz's brother Balraj Chagar said, “Tarunjeet, or Taz as we know her and love her, was always by our side, but when she needed us the most, I We couldn't help her. We had no idea how bad things were, and this feeling will haunt us forever.
He added, “Raj used half his power on a woman, and his meanness and violence took Taz's life and shattered our lives forever. Raj had no feelings for his actions. I had no regrets either. To think my sister had an affair with this monstrous man, and considering how he treated her, all Taz ever wanted was to be loved. That was all.
DI Emma Matz, the senior investigating officer on the case, said: “Ms Turnjit was killed at the hands of someone she was in a relationship with, fearing that the people who were supposed to support and protect her would brutally attack her.'' He wasn't the right person.
“While those responsible will spend years in prison, Mr. Turnjit's family remains left with so many questions and an overwhelming feeling that more could have been done.”
