Jilted lover ‘murdered ex with poisoned curry’

A married woman murdered her ex-lover and tried to kill his fiancée with a spiked curry, a court heard yesterday.

Lakhvir Kaur Singh sprinkled a rare poison over the chicken dish because she was angry that Lakhvinder Cheema was planning to marry Gurjeet Choough.

Mr Cheema, known as Lucky, died within an hour of being taken to hospital in January last year but Miss Choough, 21, survived after eating a smaller portion.

Singh, 40, was married but was having a long-term affair with the 39-year-old, said Edward Brown QC, prosecuting.

But Mr Cheema met and became engaged to Miss Choough in November 2008 and set a wedding date for February.

‘It was their very happiness and their intended future together that brought about the devastation that came to bear upon them at the hands of Singh,’ said Mr Brown.

‘With perhaps jealousy, anger and revenge all playing their part, she decided to poison them both using an extremely toxic and deadly poison.’

When police raided the accused’s home in Southall, west London they found aconite in her coat pocket and handbag.

Singh has pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted murder in January 2009 and also denies administering poison with intent to endanger Mr Cheema’s life in December 2008. The trial continues at the Old Bailey.