Midland Husband Found Guilty of Murdering Wife as 'Punishment' for Leaving Him
Harminder Mattu has been convicted of murdering his wife, Paramjit Kaur, at their home in Oldbury, West Midlands, after she filed for divorce. The 51-year-old carried out the fatal attack in what authorities described as a punitive act against his spouse for wanting to end their marriage.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The murder occurred on March 30 last year at approximately 11 pm in Swan Crescent, Oldbury. Mattu turned himself in at West Bromwich Police Station the following morning at 8 am, confessing to killing the 46-year-old victim, also known as Soni. On Tuesday, March 24, he was found guilty at Wolverhampton Crown Court and is scheduled for sentencing on April 2.
Post-mortem examinations revealed a harrowing pattern of abuse throughout their ten-year marriage, including incidents where Mattu slapped her across the face, twisted her leg, and grabbed her by the throat until she lost consciousness. These assaults had gone unreported at the time.
History of Abuse and Final Assault
Mrs. Kaur had been in the process of leaving Mattu, citing that their marriage had irretrievably broken down. After several incidents in December 2024, she briefly moved out but returned temporarily when Mattu expressed suicidal feelings. West Midlands Police noted that he had previously assaulted her while drunk, breaking her phone, though she chose not to pursue criminal charges.
In the final attack, Mrs. Kaur died from pressure on her neck and was likely stabbed while already unconscious. Detective Sergeant Paul Parham from the force's homicide unit stated, "It appeared Mattu was trying to punish his wife for wanting to leave him. He strangled Paramjit and then used a knife on her, so was clearly intent on causing serious harm."
Family Tribute and Aftermath
In a heartfelt tribute, Mrs. Kaur's family expressed their profound loss, saying, "We feel a huge loss to our family. My sister was a loving and active member of our family who cared for and looked out for us all." Detective Sergeant Parham added that Mattu's actions were not in self-defence but were the selfish acts of a man unwilling to accept the end of his marriage, ultimately robbing Paramjit of the new future she sought.
This case highlights the severe consequences of domestic violence and the importance of reporting such incidents. The community mourns the loss of Paramjit Kaur, and thoughts remain with her loved ones as they seek justice and healing.
