Telford murder accused dominated family, court told

The former wife of a Telford man accused of his daughter's murder told a court the family moved to a new home for a fresh start in the months before her death.

Satinder Kaur Ubhi told the jury at Leicester Crown Court yesterday that within weeks the move to Berberis Road, Leegomery, had turned sour and her husband Gurmeet Singh Ubhi began to "dominate" life in the home.

Amrit Kaur Ubhi, 24, was found dead by police at her family's home in Berberis Road, Leegomery, on September 7 last year. Her father denies her murder.

The jury had previously been told the defendant married a second woman in 2001, Parmajit Kaur, but was jailed for four years in 2004 after admitting repeatedly attacking her with a chisel.

Following Ubhi's release from prison, Mrs Ubhi reconciled with him, believing they could live together again and bought a home, the court heard yesterday.

"He moved out because he was finding it difficult to blend in to the family," she told the jury.

"He told us old memories came back and that's why he wanted to move out. He said he was sorry he left me.

"I thought let's have a fresh life and start again. When we moved to Berberis Road he was alright for a couple of weeks then his behaviour changed.

"Again he started dominating, controlling everybody and things in the house. His attitude changed towards everybody. He didn't like his own children."

The court heard how initially Ubhi's daughter lived with friends before eventually joining the rest of the family.

Mrs Ubhi later described in court the events in the hours before her daughter's death. She said she and Miss Ubhi had visited her son Harmeet at the Telford taxi firm where he worked, returning later that night.

"I didn't meet Gurmeet but I saw just a glimpse when I came into the kitchen then went upstairs to bed," added Mrs Ubhi.

"He went to work at about 11.30pm. The next morning when I got up to go to work there was just me and Armit in the house. It was her day off She was still in bed.

"That was the last time I saw her alive."

The trial continues.

By Paul Mannion