A man who murdered a woman after she ended their relationship has been jailed for life after a jury heard how he travelled from Southampton to London armed with a knife before attempting to flee the country.
Deepak Sandhu, 24, from Southampton, was found guilty of murdering Xiaoqing Ke, 39, at her bedsit on Old Brompton Road, Earl’s Court, on December 9, 2025.
He was also convicted of perverting the course of justice.
Sandhu was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 28 years.
Relationship ended after lies exposed
The court heard Sandhu had been in a short relationship with Ms Ke and had created a false identity, claiming to be a model and actor.
Ms Ke later discovered that he had lied to her and stolen money from her before ending the relationship in August 2025.
In the weeks that followed, digital evidence showed Sandhu repeatedly attempted to contact her.
He also told one of Ms Ke’s colleagues that he would “take revenge” and would “become evil”.
Sandhu later persuaded Ms Ke to meet him by promising to repay money and claiming he could help with her citizenship applications.
Journey from Southampton
On December 8, Sandhu bought a knife.
The following day he travelled by coach from Southampton to London.
CCTV captured him making his way to Ms Ke’s home, while doorbell footage showed her allowing him inside.
Sandhu left around 90 minutes later.
No one else was seen entering or leaving the property before police discovered Ms Ke’s body the following day.
Prosecutors built their case using witness accounts, forensic evidence, phone data, CCTV and other digital material.
Attempted escape
After leaving the property, Sandhu contacted his sister in India and claimed he had witnessed Ms Ke being murdered by another man.
He then returned to Southampton and took steps to leave the UK.
He booked a one-way flight from Birmingham to Mumbai and changed the SIM card in his phone.
Sandhu was arrested on December 12 while travelling by coach from Southampton towards Birmingham Airport.
‘Calculated and brutal attack’
Shikha Varma, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the CPS London Homicide Unit, said Ms Ke had seen through Sandhu’s lies and that he reacted to the end of the relationship by killing her.
She said prosecutors had been able to unravel his account and present evidence showing his anger towards Ms Ke and his presence at the scene.
“Our thoughts remain with Ms Ke’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. We hope his conviction and sentence bring them some measure of justice,” she said.
Sandhu will now serve a minimum of 28 years in prison before being eligible for consideration for release.
