This is the first image of a "predator" who attacked and killed a sex worker in Smethwick. Tanveer Singh went kerb crawling in a delivery van along Soho Road, in Handsworth, after drinking in a pub on August 11, 2025.
He picked up Shara Millar, 41, who was then beaten about the head and strangled before she was dumped on Woodburn Road, Smethwick, where she was found by a member of the public just after 6am.
Investigation details
West Midlands Police immediately launched a murder investigation and examined CCTV which revealed a white sprinter van pulling into Woodburn Road at 1am. At around 1.30am, Shara's body was removed from the back of the van and left on the pavement. A liquid was also splashed and shaken over Shara's body.
Earlier in the night, the van was seen on Soho Road, Handsworth and Shara, aged 41, was seen getting in the van on Victoria Road. Further enquiries revealed the van was registered to a rental company and was being used as a business vehicle for parcel delivery. Singh was in possession of the van at the time of the killing.
Officers attended the home address of Singh and was stopped in a vehicle near his house. The 32-year-old was arrested on suspicion of murder and subsequently charged.
Conviction and sentencing
Following a two-week trial, Singh of Leopard Lane, West Bromwich was convicted of murder and will be sentenced on 27 May.
DI Joe Davenport, Homicide Unit, said: "Shara was brutally killed by a dangerous predator. Singh was drinking in a pub earlier in the night and visited Soho Road to look for sex workers. He then picked Shara up in his van and she was fatally attacked. He attempted to get rid of any trace of his presence by pouring a liquid over Shara's body to destroy any forensic evidence. My thoughts are with Shara's loved ones, and I thank them for the support during this investigation and trial."
West Midlands Police work with partner organisations to offer support to women in sex work. The force said: "We are here to listen and support you. No woman deserves to feel unsafe, and we are committed to providing safe spaces to report and access support. By working with partners and specialist teams, we continue to pursue perpetrators who exploit vulnerable women."
