Teen admits part in plan to rob Cowcliffe shopkeeper Gurmail Singh
Aug 24 2010 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
A TEENAGER has admitted plotting to rob shopkeeper Gurmail Singh – two days before his alleged murder.
Spencer Julien, 18, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to robbery when he appeared at Huddersfield Youth Court yesterday.
Julien, of North Rise, Fartown, was 17 when he planned with another 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, to steal from Mr Singh at Cowcliffe Convenience Stores on Cowcliffe Hill Road.
The offence, on February 18, happened two days before 63-year-old grandfather Mr Singh was beaten to death with a weapon as he closed his shop for the night.
The two incidents were completely unconnected and five other men will stand trial next week in Bradford accused of murder.
Prosecutor Allan Armbrister yesterday told magistrates how police received a call from Mr Singh shortly before 8pm on February 18.
He said: “He reported that two males in gloves and hooded jackets had been in his store and fought with him before stealing cigarettes and making off.”
Mr Singh had been punched in the face during the incident by the masked robbers, causing his turban to come off.
About £30 of goods were stolen and £250 of damage caused to the shop till.
The court heard how Julien, who studied for a BTEC in design at Huddersfield Technical College, had told a fellow student before the incident about his accomplice’s plans to rob Mr Singh.
