Man found guilty of murdering his wife at their Black Country home after she asked for a divorce
A man has been found guilty of murdering his wife at their Oldbury home because she wanted a divorce.
Delivering a unanimous verdict this afternoon (March 24), the jury in the trial of Harminder Mattu found him guilty of killing Paramjit Kaur, known as 'Soni', at their home in Swan Crescent off Titford Road in Oldbury. The 46-year-old was discovered by officers with a knife at her side at around 8.20am on March 31 last year.
Mattu himself had reported it at West Bromwich Police Station.
Mrs Kaur had suffered a stab wound and scratch marks to her neck, there were clear signs of a struggle and indications that pressure had been applied to various parts of her body.
The jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court had been told that the couple had been in a "deeply unhappy" marriage due to the defendant's drinking and abusive behaviour towards her. She had decided enough was enough after a series of incidents including when he twisted her leg during an argument, leaving her hobbling and requiring hospital treatment.
Prosecutor Mr Jonathan Barker had told the jury during the trial: "You will hear there were clear signs she was deeply unhappy and the marriage had problems. There were no children and there was little physical contact, something we say caused the defendant frustration and which they both argued about.
"It was a relationship which was also blighted, we say, by Mattu's heavy drinking which made him volatile at times.
"The divorce petition is a matter of record and also a complaint from the victim in December 2024 to the police about a violent argument. She had gone out for the night and came back late, returning home after a party which he questioned and when she mentioned about pursuing a divorce he became violent, slapping her face, injuring her leg and breaking her mobile phone, although she chose not to press charges.
"During this interview she also recounted to police a previous incident in February 2023 when he placed his hand around her throat, causing her to struggle to breathe and eventually lose consciousness."
Mrs Kaur told officers: "I can honestly say that I am terrified of Ninder [Mattu]. I am looking to divorce him. I gave him chance after chance. But after last night I cannot live with this man anymore."
The couple had been married for nearly 10 years after Mrs Kaur had come to the UK from India, initially staying with her cousin before meeting Mattu through a work colleague. At first they appeared to be happy and getting on fine, but after a few years the relationship started to break down, resulting in the victim moving out temporarily a number of times, before returning again.
At the time of her death Mrs Kaur's devastated family described her as a "dearly loved" daughter, sister and friend who "brought warmth to everyone". The family said in a statement: "We were deeply saddened by the heartbreaking news of Soni’s passing.
"A kind, hardworking and dearly loved daughter, sister, and friend, she brought warmth to everyone around her. Her loss leaves us in profound sorrow, but her memory will forever live in our hearts.”
Mattu, aged 51, whom the victim called 'Ninder', claimed he acted in self-defence in killing her, but the jury rejected his claim and found him guilty of murder.
Following the verdict the trial judge John Butterfield KC thanked the members of the jury for their assistance in the case and adjourned Mattu's sentencing until April 2.