Stourbridge pensioner was unlawfully killed

A trial of facts established that Gian Bhandal was killed.

Her husband Pargan Singh Bhandal had been accused of murder but was deemed not to be fit to stand trial.

Gian was found dead at the couple's home in Oldswinford on January 23 last year and it was initially believed she died of natural causes.

But a full post-mortem later revealed the 82-year-old had suffered several bone fractures to her ribs and arm and her body was also covered in bruises.

Her 84-year-old husband was later arrested on suspicion of murder.

The results from the post-mortem had determined Gian had died from his injuries caused as a result of a sustained and violent assault, police said.

"Tramline bruising" was found on the victim's body which was consistent with being caused by her being repeatedly struck with an item described as being similar to a rod, or cylindrical-type object.

She was found to have fractures and bruising to her forearms she is likely to have sustained whilst protecting herself from being assaulted – and, in addition to the fracture to her right forearm, the victim was also found to have multiple rib fractures and areas of bruising.

Nine fractures were recorded on the right-hand side of her ribs and seven fractures on the left-side of her ribs and it was stated that these had been caused by multiple blows.

A cylindrical wooden broken walking stick was recovered from the couple’s home address within the room where Pargan Bhandal slept, and a jury heard evidence of Pargan using such a stick but not all the time.

The jury watched CCTV footage of Pargan Bhandal in a local gym, further evidence showed that up to the time of Gian Bhandal’s death he would attend there up to five times a week.

Although Pargan Bhandal had been considered mentally fit at the time of his arrest and charge in February last year, his health deteriorated in the months after his wife’s death, to such an extent that he was not deemed fit to stand trial before a jury.

A trial of facts means that the defendant cannot be convicted of a crime but the jury can establish the events that took place.

Pargan Bhandal had previously denied murder.

He was absent for the trial which commenced at Northampton Crown Court on August 23, and after deliberating for less than three hours, the jury found Gian Bhandal had died unlawfully.

Detective Inspector Adam Jobson, from force CID, said: "This case was made far more complex given that Gian’s death was not treated as suspicious at the time and had only been identified as suspicious following a thorough examination of Gian.

"Sadly, however we are unlikely to ever know exactly what happened to Gian in the moments leading up to her death but I hope this outcome shows that domestic violence of any sort will always be treated with the seriousness it deserves and we will seek justice for our victims."

A trial was due to be held last year but was affected by the Covid-19 crisis.