Shop widow dies just days after killers jailed

The widow of murdered West Yorkshire shopkeeper Gurmail Singh has died, less than a week after her husband's killers were locked up.

Mohinder Kaur, 66, died on Tuesday at the home she had shared with her husband in Huddersfield, after a battle with cancer.

Mr Singh was attacked for just a few pounds, some sweets, alcohol and cigarettes during a bungled raid at his shop in Cowcliffe, Huddersfield, in February.

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When the 63-year-old tried to fight back, he was bludgeoned with wine bottles taken from his own shelves which were repeatedly smashed over his head.

Last week, two men were jailed for life for murder by a judge at Bradford Crown Court who described it as a "violent and sickening attack". Muawaz Khalid, 20, was told he must spend at least 21 years in prison while Nabeel Shafi, 18, was given a 20-year minimum term.

Gang member Rehman Afzal, 18, was sentenced to five years and four months for his part in the robbery. Umare Aslam, 20, received a six-and-a-half-year sentence for robbery.

Shoaib Khan, 18, received an eight-month sentence for assisting an offender, but will be released because of time already served on remand.

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The robbery took place just 48 hours after the grandfather of 18 was punched by two masked youths in an unconnected raid at the Cowcliffe Convenience Stores, and the day after his birthday.

The court was read a statement from Mr Singh's youngest son, Jas Hayre, in which he described how the murder had "completely devastated" his mother. "She needed 100 per cent support from my dad to help her cope with the decisions of life."

He said his father's "bond and devotion to my mother was unequalled" and his death had left a huge gap in their lives, adding: "It is the words we miss the most, words like work hard, be honest in your endeavours, show respect and good manners... never be afraid to stand up for you morals and principles."

The court also heard of his pain and frustration at having sat through the trial while seeing "no remorse from them whatsoever" and he said family members had been forced to hide their feelings and thoughts from their children "hoping they will never feel the hatred and revulsion towards the persons responsible."

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Tributes to Mrs Kaur were led by Inderpal Randhawa, general secretary of the Sikh temple in Huddersfield, who was a friend of Mr Singh.

"Our thoughts and sympathies, and those I am sure of the whole town, go out to Mrs Singh's family and friends.

"It is such terrible shocking news for a family who have already gone through such a bad time," he added.

It is believed that Mrs Kaur had previously suffered from a form of pancreatic cancer which she had apparently overcome three years ago.

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After the trial, Mr Singh's family revealed the Prince of Wales had written a letter to her expressing his sympathy, adding: "This country can ill-afford to lose such special people".

Mr Singh came to England from India in 1963 and raised his family in Huddersfield.

He bought the Cowcliffe shop about five years ago and was well respected in the neighbourhood, where he was known for his helpfulness and hard work.

In July, six months after his death, his sons Bobby and Jas Hayre reopened the shop after a full refit.