A killer who throttled a sex worker before dumping her naked body near a pile of rubbish and dousing her with liquid has been locked up for life. Tanveer Singh left Shara Millar virtually naked and face down in the street in just her bra and a single trainer on one foot after losing his temper when she refused his sex demands in the back of his van.
The Murder
The 32-year-old had picked up his victim on the street and driven to an industrial estate so they could have sex. But during their encounter, the cocaine-fuelled thug choked her for several minutes for his own sexual pleasure. The mum was left with an unusual number of fractures to her neck, while injuries to her face and head were said to have been caused by heavy punches.
Disposal of the Body
After killing his victim, Singh callously moved her body to the street and poured AdBlue, an exhaust fluid used in diesel cars, over her in a sinister plot to rid her body of any traces of him. He then went to work the next day as if nothing had happened.
Court Proceedings
Singh, of Leopard Lane, West Bromwich, was convicted of murder by jurors following a two-week trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court. He was jailed for life, with a minimum term of 29 years, on Wednesday, May 27. Sentencing, Judge Michael Chambers KC said the murder was both brutal and degrading. He said: Having killed her, you discarded her naked body against a pile of rubbish at the side of the road. The judge added: She was worth a great deal more than that.
Victim's Vulnerability
The court heard how Ms Millar, 41, was found in Woodburn Road, Smethwick, in the early hours of August 11 last year. Judge Chambers said: By August of last year, Ms Millar was trapped in a cycle of drug addiction and having to work the streets to fund it. She was of slight build and highly vulnerable as a lone woman at night on the streets of Smethwick.
Judge Chambers said he was satisfied there was an intention to kill, citing Ms Millar's unusual number of neck fractures and the fact that Singh had said in his evidence to the court that he strangled her for many minutes. The judge said: I find this to be a particularly cruel and tragic case.
Defendant's Background
Singh's defence counsel, Gurdeep Garcha KC, handed Judge Chambers a letter penned by the defendant in which he said I accept that I am guilty of murder. But the judge said: I'm afraid, I'm not persuaded there is any genuine remorse in this case. Singh is clearly an intelligent young man, but a manipulative one, Judge Chambers added.
Mr Garcha insisted the letter was not a cynical ploy designed to impress the court, describing how Singh had denied the murder charge and opted for a trial because he was not strong enough. Singh's sense of shame was also behind his denial as he was concerned about what others, including his family, would think, Mr Garcha added.
Mr Garcha went on to say there is a side of Singh's character that is darker and that manifested itself on the day of the killing. He pointed to the killer's lack of previous convictions, adding: He is the author of his own fortune. He can have nobody to blame but himself. Ms Millar is entirely blameless in this episode.
