700 say farewell to shot pub landlord
Around 700 mourners lined the streets to pay an emotional fare-well to a popular father-of-four who was gunned down outside his Black Country pub.
Crowds gathered outside the family home of Swinder Singh Batth in Moxley, Wolverhampton, yesterday ahead of his funeral at the city's Bushbury Crematorium.
The funeral cortege left the 47-year-old's house in Hughes Road at around 3pm. Cars filled the street and several other roads as people came to pay their respects.
Mr Batth's coffin was carried in a horse-drawn carriage while floral tributes included a wreath in the shape of a dart board. After leaving the crematorium family and friends gathered at the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Sedgley Street, Wolverhampton.
Mr Batth was shot once in the chest outside his Bilston pub last month.
He reportedly intervened in a dispute at Gavin's Sports Bar in Hall Street, Bilston, when tragedy struck.
He ran the pub with his 19-year-old son Gavin and died in his arms. Customers were encouraged to attend the funeral by Mr Batth's family.
Mr Batth was a well-known name in the world of Kabaddi, a team sport originating from India. He was also a former professional wrestler.
Eight people appeared before Wolverhampton Crown Court on August 10 accused of Mr Batth's murder. Judge John Warner remanded the suspects in custody until September 29. The accused include a 17-year-old youth and a 19-year-old woman.
The family of Mr Batth recently described him as popular and generous.
As well as Gavin, he had three daughters Danny, 20, Jinder, 21, and four-year-old Perina.
He was married to Palwinder. Brother-in-law Balraj Singh, 33, said: "He was an excellent businessman who owned a number of properties."
