MINDLESS MURDERS UPDATE PASSENGER WHO KILLED WOLVERHAMPTON


PH DRIVER, ANAKH SINGH, JAILED FOR TEN YEARS


The passenger who killed a much-loved Wolverhampton private hire driver in a fight over a fare has been jailed for manslaughter. Anakh Singh, 59, died after being brutally assaulted next to his vehicle in Park Village, Wolverhampton, in broad daylight last October over the £5.80 fare. Tomasz Margol, 36, knocked off Mr Singh’s turban during his sickening attack when he delivered repeated heavy blows to the dad-of-three’s head and body which left him with internal bleeding. He then callously fled the scene leaving ‘hardworking’ Mr Singh to die in the street. Margol - who has a number of previous convictions from Poland - was jailed for ten years at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Tuesday, July 11. He had denied murder and stood trial where jurors acquitted him of the murder charge but instead convicted him of an alternative count of manslaughter by a majority in June. Sentencing, Judge Michael Chambers KC said Mr Singh was just trying to earn a ‘honest living’ when he died as a result of Margol’s ‘sustained beating’. The judge branded Margol as the ‘aggressor throughout’ the horrific assault, adding: “Nothing justified your unprovoked assault on him. Your victim was providing a public service at the time of the incident. He added: “It is right to say this was not a case that involved use of a weapon. This was nevertheless a sustained persistent bout of


PHTM AUGUST 2023


You then fled the scene.” Knocking off the victim’s turban was a ‘matter of great disrespect’, the judge added. Mr Singh was suffering from a pre-existing heart disease at the time of his death, a pathologist told jurors. Pawandeep Kaur told how her dad ‘always looked out for others’ and was ‘well- respected’ among the community.


The ‘hard


repeated heavy blows. “The taxi drivers in this city, in common with others, deserve to be protected.” He said Margol’s actions were captured on CCTV and that Mr Singh had taken a dog guard from the vehicle in self-defence. The court heard how Margol’s girlfriend booked a PHV for him and told the operator the fare would be paid upfront in cash to the driver. But she soon made a second call and instead paid the fare using a card. Mr Singh collected Margol but was not aware the fare had already been settled, which led to an argument between the victim and his killer inside the PHV. Margol was asked to leave the vehicle but then delivered a nasty headbutt to Mr Singh which caused his nose to fracture. He repeatedly punched the devout Sikh, while also kicking him and knocking him to the ground. Members of the public arrived at the scene, with Margol offering to help Mr Singh and returning his turban. Judge Chambers added: “You offered him help simply because you knew you were being watched.


working’ man’s dedication to his Sikh faith meant he helped others ‘be the best version’ of themselves, she said. He ‘never hesitated to help anyone in need’ and would devote time to doing seva - selfless service - within the gurdwara. Pawandeep bravely took to the witness box at court to pay tribute to her dad on Tuesday, July 11. She said: “He lived a simple life and made an honest living. He was always there for us when we needed him. Now that he is gone, we feel this emptiness which will never go away.” Sarbjit Kaur, who was married to Mr Singh for 38 years, said in a statement read to the court: “We went everywhere together. He looked after me and our children and was always there for us. “He was not just a husband but a best friend to me. We


did


everything together - religiously, socially and personally - because we were very close. He was an honest and respectful man who did a lot for his community. Anakh was my world.” Margo must serve at least two- thirds of the sentence before being released.


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