Gurmail Singh struck several times, according to scientist

Sep 14 2010 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

MURDERED shopkeeper Gurmail Singh was hit several times in an attack at his shop, a court was told.

A murder trial jury has been hearing detailed forensic evidence gathered by police during their investigation into the death of the popular Cowcliffe shopkeeper.

And a forensic scientist who analysed the pattern of blood-staining at the scene of the killing told the jury at Bradford Crown Court yesterday that it was impossible to say whereabouts in the premises the 63-year-old had been hit first or whether the attack involved one or more than one person.

Ms Samantha Warnakulasuriya said it would be a logical explanation to suggest that Mr Singh had been struck while standing upright and then hit again while bending down near to a chest freezer in the shop.

The victim was then struck a further blow or blows towards the rear of the premises.

Barrister Peter Birkett QC, for one of the five defendants Umare Aslam, questioned Ms Warnakulasuriya about her examination of a VW Golf car in which his client was picked up shortly after the robbery took place.

She confirmed that the car had been examined for blood-staining and none had been found.