An alleged Hayes Child Killer couple, Jaskiret Singh Uppal and Manpreet Jatana, intentionally starved their three-year-old daughter to death slowly over several months, a court has been informed, without anyone intervening.
On 17 December 2023, the emaciated and beaten body of Penelope Chandrie was discovered wrapped in a sheet at her family residence in Hayes, west London. She was determined to have succumbed to starvation.
The Crown alleges that Jaskiret Singh Uppal, 36, and Manpreet Jatana, 34, subjected their daughter to mistreatment over an “extended period” and “intentionally starved” her, as stated by prosecutor Philip McGhee at the Old Bailey.
Jaskiret Singh Uppal and Manpreet Jatana were remanded in detention pending a plea hearing scheduled for 16 December.
The court was informed that Jaskiret Singh Uppal and Manpreet Jatana neglected to register Penelope’s birth, failed to provide her access to general practitioner care, and “isolated” themselves from the broader community.
Following the child’s death, it is said that they first considered cremating the body in their backyard before reaching out to a funeral professional.
Post-mortem examinations revealed “starvation over an extended duration of several months resulting in lethal ketoacidosis,” stated Mr McGhee.
The court was informed of marks on her neck indicative of binding usage, as well as damage to her hands associated with a sharp object, such as a knife.
When the youngster passed away, investigators discovered the defendants’, Jaskiret Singh Uppal and Manpreet Jatana, residence to be in a “dilapidated” state, and the family’s vegetarian diet primarily of yoghurt, lentils, and butter, stated Mr McGhee.
A ligature was discovered affixed to the bannisters of the staircase, as presented to the court.
Jaskiret Singh Uppal was present in the dock at the Old Bailey, while Manpreet Jatana participated by videolink from Bronzefield Prison.
Alongside the murder charge, the defendants, Jaskiret Singh Uppal and Manpreet Jatana, face accusations of manslaughter, causing or permitting the death of a child, and abandoning a child or inflicting unnecessary suffering or injury upon them.
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