Community gather to remember Cowcliffe shopkeeper Gurmail Singh

Mar 1 2010 By Emma Davison

Community gather to remember murdered shopkeeper

OFFICERS investigating the death of shopkeeper Gurmail Singh have made three more arrests.

Two 17-year-old males from the Sheepridge and Fartown areas of Huddersfield and a 20-year-old man from Crosland Moor are now being questioned by West Yorkshire Police’s homicide and major enquiry team (HMET).

A 17-year-old arrested earlier this week has been charged with another robbery at the shop and will appear before magistrates today.

The news was announced yesterday as hundreds of people from all backgrounds flocked to the Sikh temple in Springwood to pay tribute at a special memorial service a week on from Mr Singh’s horrific death.

The emotional service saw family, friends and those who had never even met Mr Singh gather to pray for and remember the popular shopkeeper who died just over a week ago following a raid on his shop, Cowcliffe Convenience Stores.

General secretary Inderpal Randhawa said the death of the father-of-three, who was an integral part of Huddersfield’s Sikh community, had left the community in shock.

“His murder has shocked not just the Sikh community but the whole community in Huddersfield,’’ he said.

“He was a very kind and generous person who would go out of his way to help people in the community.

“I think people are so shocked because he would not have harmed anybody and just wanted to do his best for those around him and in running his business for the community.

“It is very important for the community to work together in these difficult times, make sure their voices are heard and assist the police.

“For Mr Singh and his family we pray that justice will be done and the courts will give those responsible the maximum sentence.”

Among those paying their respects yesterday was Brenda Gladwell, of Longwood, who attended the service with her family.

Mrs Gladwell ran the Cowcliffe Hill Road shop until about 10 years ago when Mr Singh, 63, took it over and said she knew him well.

She said: “I went in to introduce myself and would often go in and see him.

“I was absolutely devastated to hear the news. He was such a nice person.

“I think it’s going to take the community a while to come to terms with what has happened.

“I hope Mr Singh is at peace now and I would like to express my sincere condolences to Mr Singh’s family.”