Karandeep Singh, a man who had no legal right to live in the UK, has been jailed for nearly five years after attacking a store worker with a spirit level during a robbery. Singh, who came to the UK from Punjab, India, was homeless and hoped to bring his wife and young child to the country for a better life. However, his actions led to serious legal consequences.
The incident happened in May last year at a Wickes hardware store on Farnham Road, Slough. Singh and his accomplice, Satwant Singh, were seen acting suspiciously in the store.
Satwant tried to steal a spirit level, but when staff member Morgan Duffy stopped him, Satwant became aggressive and dragged him outside the store. It was then that Karandeep Singh hit Duffy on the head with the spirit level, leaving him with a 9cm wound that needed hospital treatment.
The court learned that Karandeep Singh had been living in a bail hostel after being homeless since his arrival in the UK. He claimed he came to the country with hopes of creating a better future for his family but struggled without support.
During the trial, Judge Sarah Jane Campbell expressed doubts about Singh’s claim that he was only 18 years old at the time of the attack, pointing out that police records listed different birth dates for him. She remarked that he looked older than his claimed age of 19.
Despite his claims, Singh’s actions during and after the crime worsened his case. He failed to show up for his trial on October 1, which the judge described as an attempt to avoid punishment. After being arrested later, he denied being involved in the robbery, but fingerprint evidence confirmed his identity.
Karandeep Singh was convicted of robbery and grievous bodily harm and sentenced to four years, eight months, and 14 days in prison. His accomplice, Satwant Singh, who was also found guilty of robbery, received a sentence of three years and eight months.
This case highlights the challenges Singh faced as a homeless immigrant but also shows how his poor decisions and violent actions had serious consequences for both himself and others.
