27 years jail for Halfway House murderer

Belkar Singh, aged 58, struck and stabbed his employer Satnam Singh Blugher - known locally as 'Mr B' - more than 50 times at Tony's Diner on the A458 at Halfway House between Shrewsbury and Welshpool on June 25 last year, using a pan and knives. 

He then took Mr Blugher's keys and went to the locked bedroom where Mr Blugher's life savings was kept and stole £47,000, along with gold jewellery belonging to the family before fleeing the area.

The illegal immigrant was found guilty by a jury in an unanimous verdict following a six-week trial at Stafford Crown Court.

Judge Michael Chambers sentenced Singh to a minimum term of 27 years and 127 days imprisonment for the killing and said he was satisfied that it was a "premeditated, planned murder for gain".

The judge said: "The evidence which implicates you is overwhelming. Both the devious and manipulative way you have sought to deceive the jury and malign the children of Mr B in the case that was put forward by those who represent you, under your instruction. I am afraid it just goes to underline that this was a premeditated murder by a devious man. 

"Mr B had worked hard to establish a successful business which benefits not just him and his family."

He told Singh that the loss of Mr Blugher to his family was tragic and unnecessary.

"Mr B was a man who expected high standards from the staff, but on occasion spoke to them harshly, but that was a world apart from any employee wishing him dead. The only person who felt that embittered was you. 

"The reality was that he and his son showed you particular kindness, especially you as an illegal immigrant.They offered you board and lodgings and helped you to attend appointments in Birmingham

"In June of last year you decided to kill him for his money with the intention of disappearing and starting a new life. Although this was a premeditated act, it is unclear when precisely you formed that intention," the judge said. 

He added that the killer had shown no remorse for his actions which h is described as "chilling".

The jury heard that Singh "motivated by greed" killed the victim in a "cowardly attack" before he helped himself to his life savings and the day's takings from the till before fleeing in a taxi the following morning. Singh, of Booth Street, Handsworth, was arrested he had about £47,000 and jewellery that belonged to Mr Blugher in his bags.

Singh repeatedly denied murdering the grandfather of four and claimed two other men were responsible for entering the cafe and bludgeoning him to death in a revenge attack over an alleged matter involving the businessman.

Mr Blugher, aged 67, known locally as 'Mr B' was found on the kitchen floor at the diner by his son. He had been stabbed and struck with a sharp instrument more than 50 times at the business he owned.

Belkar Singh, aged 58, struck and stabbed his employer Satnam Singh Blugher - known locally as 'Mr B' - more than 50 times at Tony's Diner on the A458 at Halfway House between Shrewsbury and Welshpool on June 25 last year, using a pan and knives. 

He then took Mr Blugher's keys and went to the locked bedroom where Mr Blugher's life savings was kept and stole £47,000, along with gold jewellery belonging to the family before fleeing the area.

The illegal immigrant was found guilty by a jury in an unanimous verdict following a six-week trial at Stafford Crown Court.

Judge Michael Chambers sentenced Singh to a minimum term of 27 years and 127 days imprisonment for the killing and said he was satisfied that it was a "premeditated, planned murder for gain".

The judge said: "The evidence which implicates you is overwhelming. Both the devious and manipulative way you have sought to deceive the jury and malign the children of Mr B in the case that was put forward by those who represent you, under your instruction. I am afraid it just goes to underline that this was a premeditated murder by a devious man. 

"Mr B had worked hard to establish a successful business which benefits not just him and his family."

He told Singh that the loss of Mr Blugher to his family was tragic and unnecessary.

"Mr B was a man who expected high standards from the staff, but on occasion spoke to them harshly, but that was a world apart from any employee wishing him dead. The only person who felt that embittered was you. 

"The reality was that he and his son showed you particular kindness, especially you as an illegal immigrant.They offered you board and lodgings and helped you to attend appointments in Birmingham

"In June of last year you decided to kill him for his money with the intention of disappearing and starting a new life. Although this was a premeditated act, it is unclear when precisely you formed that intention," the judge said. 

He added that the killer had shown no remorse for his actions which h is described as "chilling".

The jury heard that Singh "motivated by greed" killed the victim in a "cowardly attack" before he helped himself to his life savings and the day's takings from the till before fleeing in a taxi the following morning. Singh, of Booth Street, Handsworth, was arrested he had about £47,000 and jewellery that belonged to Mr Blugher in his bags.

Singh repeatedly denied murdering the grandfather of four and claimed two other men were responsible for entering the cafe and bludgeoning him to death in a revenge attack over an alleged matter involving the businessman.

Mr Blugher, aged 67, known locally as 'Mr B' was found on the kitchen floor at the diner by his son. He had been stabbed and struck with a sharp instrument more than 50 times at the business he owned.