'A pure act of greed': Murdered Shropshire businessman's son tells of family's devastation
The son of murdered Shropshire businessman Satnam Singh Blugher has spoken of the devastating effects of the tragedy on his family.
Hardeep Singh Blugher, known locally as Harry , found his father's body at Tony's Diner on the A458 at Halfway House, between Shrewsbury and Welshpool, after the proprietor failed to open the door for a delivery on June 26, his day off.
The businessman had been stabbed and struck more than 50 times by kitchen worker Belkar Singh the previous night after closing time.
In an emotional victim impact statement Harry Blugher explained how as the family mourned their loss of the 67-year-old, they were left shouldering mounting debts and a capital gains bill from the taxman as a result of the untimely death.
Earlier this week Belkar Singh, 58, was jailed for life for the murder of Satnam SIngh Blugher, who was known locally as Mr B.
Belkar Singh was caught red-handed with the victim's life savings and jewellery belonging to the family two days after fleeing to Handsworth, in Birmingham.
Following the jury's unanimous guilty verdict Harry Singh's statement was read aloud to the court by prosecuting barrister Mr Clive Mason QC as part of the sentencing procedure.
In it he said: “Belkar had a good life at the diner. I feel that this has been thrown back in my family’s face.
“It it my belief that he murdered my father in a pure act of greed. The destruction he caused will continue to have ramifications for us for many years to come.”
The Shrewsbury-based businessman said the case had devastated his family life and that travelling the 50-mile round trip to the trial held at Stafford Crown Court had now left him feeling "isolated and exhausted".
"Since my dad was so brutally murdered last summer it has sent me to a very dark place," the hearing at Stafford was told.
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"I was left in the diner, to sort out all the mess left behind at the same time as trying to set up my new Subway business. Even to this day I have no idea how I got through it.
"I can't go back into the diner which still has a mortgage on it. We've had to lease it out for a fraction of the value," he also stated.
He spoke of how he previously thought of killer Belkar Singh as being "likeable" and had invited him round to his home for dinner on Christmas Eve, and had watched him play with his children.
Belkar Singh, an illegal immigrant from India, was found guilty by a jury in an unanimous verdict following a six-week trial at Stafford Crown Court.
In sentencing him to a minimum life term of 27 years and 127 days jail minus 208 days already spent on remand, Judge Michael Chambers QC said he was satisfied that it was a "premeditated, planned murder for gain".
Mr B and his killer came from the same region in Punjab.
The businessman offered him a job washing dishes at the cafe after bumping into him at a Birmingham temple some years ago.
Mr B, who had been a chef for 30 years, had run the diner for 15 years.
His son said that he was a good father who had raised him and his sister, who now lives abroad. He said that he doted on his grandchildren and would spend Monday afternoons, his day off from the cafe, with them.
He had told the jury that he had taught him how to run a business and worked with him at the diner before taking on the post office next door.
After he decided to give up the store and branch out on his own by taking on a fast food franchise in Shrewsbury when tragedy struck.
Mr B's funeral was held in Coventry.
Paying tribute at the time, his daughter-in law Bal Blugher, said: “Because he had the business for 15 years, he saw lots of customers and knew people from across the West Midlands and Wales.
“We want as many people to be able to come and say their goodbyes to him.”
She said: “We would also like to thank the community for their support at this difficult time. Everyone has been very supportive.”
