A VICTIM impact statement written by Mr Singh’s youngest son, Jasmohan, spoke of the daily “nightmare” being endured by the family.

There were tears in the public gallery as prosecutor Adrian Waterman QC read the statement to the court.

In full, it said:

On February 20 this year, my father said goodbye to his family and went to work in the family-run village shop.

“The next time I saw him he was unconscious in a pool of blood in our shop.

“What can I say about my father? He was a totally devoted, loving husband, father and grandfather. My mother has been completely devastated by the murder of her husband.

“She too witnessed him lying unconscious in the shop.

“She is already ill with terminal cancer and needed 100% support from my dad to cope with the decisions of life. His devotion made her life comfortable when dealing with this illness.

“My father’s bond and devotion to my mother was unequalled. He went to visit her in hospital – a two-hour round trip – every day for two months, all the while keeping his family, friends and community served.

“Since he was killed, her health has deteriorated visibly and it is very sad to see her alone at a time when my father was most needed.

“My father’s support helped her to cope with the loss of every member of her immediate family – first losing all her siblings, then her mother and father. He was her strength through the darkest days. She misses him terribly.

“As a father he has left a huge gap in our family – for myself, Bobby and my sister-in-law Shirley. They are left to fill an impossible hole.

“My father was legal guardian to the children of my sister Narinder, who has learning difficulties, since her divorce.

“Their loss, and the impact on their lives, cannot be measured.

“We will try our very best to support our mother and all his grandchildren.

“It is the words we miss the most, words like work hard, show respect and good manners to everyone you meet, be honest in your endeavours, help all those you can, take care of your family, think carefully of the consequences before you make decisions, never be afraid of standing up for your principles.

“We miss our father’s patience, calmness, strength and love.

“He showed all these characteristics. Every day is a nightmare, praying it is all a dream but knowing it is a reality.

“We feel very hurt our father has been taken from us when helping the many elderly customers he served.

“To his brothers and sisters my father was a constant source of strength, respect and wisdom. They knew he could be relied on in every situation, however difficult. Their loss is grave and will be for the rest of their lives.

“To the wider family and Sikh community my father was recognised for his honesty and willingness to help all those he could.

“They, too, cannot come to understand why such a good, kind person was taken from them.

“We have had so much support from the people of Cowcliffe who accepted my father and our family into the area. He was treated as a friend by all his customers. His gentle smile will never be forgotten.

“Many are still affected that such a crime has been committed to such an honest and hard-working family man.

“Since the start of these events the police have been completely professional, ensuring that our family’s worries and concerns have been addressed at every stage. They have been resolute in their determination to identify and prosecute the individuals responsible for my father’s murder. We thank them for their support.

“This case has been reported locally and nationally and it brings some small comfort that the world knows what a great man my father was. His death touched so many across boundaries of country, of colour, of religion and of age.

“It is very hard to put feelings into words. We carry inside and try to hide from our children, hoping they will never feel it, the hatred and revulsion we have towards those responsible.

“What we find impossible to understand is why these individuals chose to use so much brutality to a gentle man who was just doing his job.

“We have sat through the trial from the beginning and when listening to those accused we see no remorse from any of them.

“I believe in the British justice system and, no matter what the sentences for those found guilty, it will never be enough.

“My father can never be replaced and will never be forgotten. In the words of HRH Prince Charles, in a letter to my mother, this country can ill afford to lose such a special person.

“As my mother said, what has happened to her and her family should never happen again.”