MP requests sentence review for man who killed father-of-three in a Derby bank
Gurvinder Singh Johal was killed inside Lloyds Bank in May
An MP has called for a review into the sentencing of the man who killed a beloved father-of-three in a Derby bank.
Gurvinder Singh Johal, who was part of the team that opened Indian restaurant, Hen and Chickens, at the former Crown and Arrows pub in Shelton Lock, was stabbed to death in a random attack by Somalian asylum seeker Haybe Cabdiraxmann Nur inside Lloyds Bank in May. Nur was sentenced to life in prison – a minimum of 24 years and 191 days – for killing Mr Johal at the bank’s Derby branch on St Peter’s Street.
In court it was heard Nur paid £400 to be brought to the UK illegally and committed a number of offences, including robbery, assault and resisting a public official, in four European countries before he arrived in the UK.
Derbyshire Police said it was unaware of his involvement with other police forces abroad.
Now Derby South MP Baggy Shanker says he has requested a review into the prison sentence handed to Nur. He told a Derby City Council meeting that he was “actively working” on the case and requested a sentence review on behalf of Mr Johal’s family.
The MP’s words were heard during a council debate on whether a Public Inquiry should or should not be held to further investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
A motion was put forward by Conservative councillor Jonathan Smale which called for the council to request a statutory Public Inquiry to the Government.
The Spondon councillor claimed the tragedy “raises the most serious possible questions” how Nur, already known by police overseas, was able to enter the UK and remain in Derby.
Cllr Smale told the meeting on Wednesday (November 19) the world of Mr Johal’s family “had been torn apart” and his motion was an “urgent call to restore public protection and accountability”.
He said the events of May 6 had shaken the community “to its core” and claimed a Public Inquiry would “hold agencies to account”.
Mr Smale said: “A husband, father and a Derby business owner has been taken from his family and from this city.
“Our response must be united, determined and principled. By backing this motion we show that Derby stands together and we will seek the truth, hold agencies to account and rebuild public trust.”
However, MP Mr Shanker, who is also a Derby city councillor for Sinfin and Osmaston, responded by saying the wishes and consent of Mr Johal’s family must take priority.
He said he was “actively working” to seek answers after having several conversations with the victim’s family in recent months.
He said: “The family have concerns and believe, like I do, the sentence was far too short.
“As per the family’s wishes, I have written to the Attorney General formally requested the sentence is reviewed. I have also written to the Home Secretary to request the whole of the offender’s sentence is served in the UK.”
Following a request by Mr Shanker, the meeting was adjourned so cross-party discussions about the motion could be held privately.
After the meeting resumed it was decided the motion would be heard again at the next full council meeting in January.
Mr Shanker told the meeting he got to know Mr Johal, also known locally as Danny, and paid tribute to him.
He said: “Danny was a genuinely decent man and the conversations we had were always about one thing – how he could help local causes, support volunteers and how he could give something back.
“He simply wanted to do well for his family and his community.”