GURMAIL Singh was murdered in his own convenience store by a pair of teenagers.
His terrifying murder will be examined in the second series of the hit Channel 5 true crime show Murder Scene: The Incident Room.
Gurmail Singh was killed in his own convenience shopPA: Press Association
Gurmail was murdered by Muawaz Khalid and Nabeel ShafiPA: Press Association
Gurmail’s tragic murder
Gurmail came to England from India in 1963 and raised a family in Huddersfield.
He bought a shop in Cowcliffe, Huddersfield, in 2005 which quickly became a staple of the local community.
Two men from the local area, Muawaz Khalid and Nabeel Shafi, attacked Gurmail in the shop and demanded that he hand over a large sum of money.
When he didn’t comply, they struck Gurmail with a wine bottle and left him for dead.
Gurmail’s killers face justice
Both Khalid and Shafi were caught quickly and taken to court to face justice.
When he was sentenced, Shafi shouted: “That’s not right.
“I’m innocent.
“I never touched anyone.
“You’ve got the wrong guy.”
The judge dismissed his protestations of innocence but accepted that the murder had not been premeditated.
He said: “This was a most violent and sickening attack by at least two of you on a lone shopkeeper late at night.
“It is to be regretted that no defendant at any time during the eight-week trial showed the slightest remorse.”
Eventually, both men were convicted of murder with Khalid also being convicted of robbery.
Khalid was jailed for 21 years, while Shafi, who was just 18 years old at the time – received a 20-year sentence.
Three other men were arrested and convicted in connection with the robbery.
Rehman Afzal and Umare Aslam were jailed for robbery, where Shoaib Khan was sentenced to eight months for assisting an offender.
Devestated family
Jas Hayre, Gurmail’s youngest son, read a statement aloud in court that condemned Khalid and Shafi’s actions.
The statement read: “It is the words we miss the most, words like ‘work hard, be honest in your endeavours, show respect and good manners… never be afraid to stand up for your morals and principles’.
“Each day is a nightmare, praying that it is all a dream, knowing that it is a reality.”
He also shared that his mother, who was battling cancer at the time, was “completely devastated”.
Mr Singh’s brother Dula Singh added: “I never saw him lose his temper, never saw him fight with anyone but he obviously must have fought to protect his property.
“We miss him every day.”
The Incident Room
Gurmail’s tragic murder will be explored in the Channel 5 series Murder Scene: The Incident Room.
The series follows experts as they speak to the people who helped to bring some of Britain’s worst killers to justice.
Fans can catch the episode when it airs on April 27, 2025, at 10.30pm.
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