Man Accused of Murder Potentially Slept While Partner Died

The jury was informed that a man, Raj Sidpara, 50, allegedly “beat and kicked and stamped her to death” after an evening out, following an argument with his partner. Mr. Sidpara faces a murder charge for the death of his partner, Tarnjeet Riaz, also identified by her maiden name Chagger, at his Leicester residence on 6 May. While he denies murder, it was disclosed to the jury that he had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter, acknowledging his role in her death, during a hearing on 18 October. The murder trial commenced at Leicester Crown Court on Wednesday. The court was informed that Ms. Riaz, though not residing with Mr. Sidpara, had frequently visited his bungalow on Tarbat Road in Leicester since their relationship started several months prior to her demise. Steven Bailey, representing the prosecution, stated: “This case is about a man who lost his temper with his partner at the end of a night out, and who beat and kicked and stamped her to death in a confined space in his bedroom once he got her home at the end of night.” The jury received an account of some of Ms. Riaz’s injuries, which included multiple fractured ribs, bruising, and lacerations to her lips. Mr. Bailey testified that her death resulted from a combination of injuries to her head and chest. He further asserted that the prosecution’s position was that Mr. Sidpara inflicted a significant number, or the majority, of Ms. Riaz’s injuries “while she was unconscious or helpless.” Mr. Bailey also claimed: “Once he’d inflicted those injuries, he might even have gone to sleep while she died on the floor on the side of his bed in the small hours of morning of Monday 6 May.” According to the prosecution, Ms. Riaz had already passed away by the time Mr. Sidpara contacted emergency services “at around lunchtime” to request an ambulance. During the 999 call, Mr. Sidpara received instructions on how to perform CPR on Ms. Riaz, but these efforts were unsuccessful. Mr. Bailey informed the jury that the CPR was ineffective because “by the time Mr Sidpara had called 999, she was already cold and stiff and her jaw locked shut.” The jury heard that Mr. Sidpara informed the call handler that Ms. Riaz had fallen while intoxicated, sustaining injuries that led to bleeding. Nevertheless, Mr. Bailey stated that the prosecution’s argument was that Ms. Riaz’s injuries were the result of “sustained, persistent, deliberate, and intentional application of severe force.” The jury learned that the couple had visited a bar the previous evening. After Mr. Sidpara drove them back to Tarbat Road, they proceeded to a neighbour’s residence, where they consumed additional alcohol before returning home. Mr. Bailey characterized both individuals as “heavy drinkers.” However, CCTV footage from the bar indicated that Ms. Riaz “got drunker than Mr Sidpara” that night, and that he appeared “steadier on his feet,” even managing to drive them back to Tarbat Road “without issue.” Sarah Vine KC, representing Mr. Sidpara, suggested that the jury should evaluate whether Mr. Sidpara’s “alcohol dependency” influenced his actions at the time he caused Ms. Riaz’s death. The trial is ongoing. For updates, follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 0808 100 2210. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.