A FATHER-TO-BE was knifed to death on his birthday after he confronted robbers who had forced their way into the brothel where he lived with his pregnant partner.
Former Huddersfield restaurant chef Tinakorn Tuekpia – who had worked at Thai Sakon on St John’s Road in Huddersfield town centre – hit one of the intruders over the head with a stick during the early hours attack.
But a jury heard yesterday that the 42-year-old, who had lived at Longwood, was then stabbed in the chest by one of the gang.
Three gang members have already admitted charges of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob arising out of the raid on Mr Tuekpia’s home in Little Horton Lane, Bradford, last August.
But 28-year-old Syed Bukhari, who is alleged to have been the actual killer, has denied charges of murder and conspiracy to rob.
Bukhari, of Ringwood Road, Canterbury, Bradford, denies being part of the gang or being present at the scene when Mr Tuekpia was stabbed in front of his pregnant partner Nitaya Cheumeraeng.
A jury at Bradford Crown Court heard that the robbers believed there could have been about £25,000 hidden under floorboards at the brothel and they waited until it was closed before making their move.
Thai Sakon owner Mark King, said Mr Tuekpia had worked at the restaurant between 2008 and March 2009 before moving to Bradford.
Mr King said: “He was a very good chef and brought some new dishes to the menu. It was a loss when he left.
“He was a quiet man who wasn’t that outgoing.’’
Mr Tuekpia came originally to the UK from north east Thailand.
The case continues.
