Man attacked Son-in-law with Meat Cleaver over ‘Feud’

Bhajan Singh was jailed for attacking his son-in-law with a meat cleaver at their Birmingham home.

The incident may have been the result of a “festering feud” about a trip to India.

The victim, aged in his 30s, had been living with his wife and two children at Singh’s home in Cornwall Road, Handsworth, for two years.

He also worked at the same factory as his father-in-law and there had not been any issues between them until April 14, 2022.

The prosecutor Alex Warren said Singh had been drinking whisky at home after returning from work. His son-in-law arrived just before 8 pm with his wife after a shopping trip.

The victim was in the living room when he felt a blow to the back of his neck. He initially thought Singh had slapped him but then realised he had been cut and shouted to his wife:

“He is attacking me.”

Mr Warren added: “He then saw that the defendant was holding a meat cleaver, which he swung towards him, aiming at his neck.

“He put up his left hand to protect himself and the meat cleaver made contact with his left palm causing it to bleed profusely.

“He thought the defendant was going to kill him.”

The victim was able to flee to a neighbour’s house who raised the alarm.

Birmingham Crown Court heard that after Singh was arrested, he smiled and appeared to be “winding up” his son-in-law.

Singh was jailed for eight and a half years after he previously admitted wounding with intent.

Judge Sarah Buckingham said: “For wholly inexplicable reasons, while under the influence of alcohol, you attacked your son-in-law by stabbing him in the neck with a meat cleaver.

“He was wholly defenceless and attacked from the rear. I have seen photos of it (the meat cleaver) covered in the victim’s blood.

“The force of the attack was such that the wooden handle broke during the incident.”

Singh had caused particular damage to the victim’s middle finger which required two operations, as well as damage to nerves and tendons.

Judge Buckingham said a possible motive for the attack was a recent extended trip Singh had made to India.

He had “reluctantly” returned to the UK and had become angry and frustrated.

The judge said: “You wanted someone to blame and he was your target.”

Simon Hanns, defending, said it was an unusual incident when Singh had behaved in an incredibly violent fashion and that “something must have happened”.