Chilling CCTV has shown the moment a man bought a knife he later used to stab and kill his wife - and the moments before he went into a flat and killed her.
Satpreet Singh Gandhi has been handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 23 years and four months for the murder of his estranged wife, Harleen Kaur Satpreet Gandhi. Harleen died on the doorstep of her flat in Victoria Road, Headingley, on September 5 last year after being stabbed to the chest by her controlling husband, who she had separated from six months earlier.
The couple had shared two children and Gandhi had lashed out after finding out both were to stay with his wife's family in India. Prior to Harleen's death, he sent a message to the family WhatsApp group which said: "I have to take this step. This cheating and insult was hitting me like hell. The anger was uncontrollable now."
In another message, Gandhi said: "If u start disrespecting ur son in law and dnt trust him like ur daughter, everything will be messed up. Girls parents play a very important role in every relationship but when they start listening and blindly trusting their daughter, this is what happens."
In further messages Gandhi sent to family members after the murder, he wrote: “I told them all very clearly that this is not done and if u dnt change this decision and send [child] to UK, u all will have to regret their whole life for this decision.”
He was identified as a suspect after a family member had contacted the police about the messages but Harleen was already dead. Gandhi had prepared for her murder by buying a knife from an Asda store in Kirkstall Road, Leeds, in the days before. The CCTV footage has now been released by West Yorkshire Police and shows Gandhi buying a knife at the self-checkout in Asda. Further footage shows Gandhi loitering near to Harleen's home and walking towards her basement flat.
Another chilling video shows him running away from the area after stabbing her. After he was arrested, police found a letter at his home, which read: "This is my revenge for the humiliation and disrespect."
Following Harleen's murder, those who knew her told police of Gandhi's controlling behaviour. The CPS said he had accessed Harleen's phone, believing she lied to him about her movements and that she was engaging in friendships with men. He also blamed her when he turned to alcohol and she ended the relationship and moved to a flat on her own.
Gandhi pleaded guilty to murder in November last year and was jailed on Monday (January 9).
In a statement, Harleen's parents, Ravinder Singh and Narinder Kaur Kohli, and her brother, Ekam Singh Kohli thanked the judge and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). They added: "We are extremely grateful to West Yorkshire Police for their hard work and dedication in finding Harleen’s body so quickly and in gathering enough evidence that Satpreet Singh Gandhi could be charged speedily.
"It has been a terrible time for the family, and we would like to praise our police Family Liaison Officers for their kindness and understanding and for keeping us informed of developments in the case in such a timely manner. They have been very supportive throughout this whole ordeal.
"We would like to thank all the court staff for ensuring the smooth running of the proceedings, the prosecuting KC and his staff for their roles and the Judge for showing consideration for all the people who attended court today. We would also like to express our thanks for the support, help, and aid we have had from Ramgarhia Board Gurdwara Leeds, and the owner and staff from Harleen’s workplace, and some of her friends."
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