A Sandwell man has been locked up for at least 18 years after murdering his wife when she started divorce proceedings. Harminder Mattu struck Paramjit Kaur dead in their Oldbury home.
The Deadly Attack in Oldbury
At around 11pm on 30 March last year, Mattu attacked his wife Paramjit, also known as Soni, at their Swan Crescent home. The following morning, he shocked police by turning himself in at West Bromwich Police Station and admitting the killing.
Officers found Paramjit’s body at the address shortly after.
Claims and Court Verdict
Mattu told police Paramjit had been drunk and assaulted him first, armed with a knife. He claimed he wrestled the knife away and stabbed her in self-defence. But a jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court rejected this and convicted him of murder last week.
On 2 April, Mattu, 51, was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 18 years.
Family and Police React
“We feel a huge loss to our family, my sister was a loving and active member who cared for and looked out for us all,” Paramjit’s family said in tribute.
Detective Sergeant Paul Parham said: “Mattu was trying to punish his wife for wanting to leave him. He strangled Paramjit and stabbed her, showing clear intent to cause serious harm.
“It was not self-defence but the selfish act of a man who didn’t want his marriage to end. He robbed Paramjit of the new future she was seeking. She tragically lost her life, and our thoughts remain with her loved ones.”
