Family of Woman Throttled to Death in Oldbury Express Profound Guilt
The grieving family of a woman who was brutally murdered by her husband in Oldbury have revealed their deep feelings of guilt, stating they wish they could have done more to protect her. Paramjit Kaur, aged 46, was killed by her husband Harminder Mattu just months after she had filed for divorce, highlighting a tragic case of domestic violence.
Details of the Tragic Murder
Paramjit Kaur lost her life in March 2025 at a property on Swan Crescent in Oldbury. According to evidence presented at Wolverhampton Crown Court, she was strangled by Mattu until she fell unconscious, after which he stabbed her in the neck. The murder occurred only two months after Ms Kaur had left the marital home following her divorce filing, but Mattu manipulated her into returning by threatening to take his own life.
The court heard that Ms Kaur had endured nearly a decade of marriage marked by violent attacks from her controlling husband. Harminder Mattu, 51, denied the murder charge but was convicted by jurors earlier this year. On Thursday, April 2, he was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 18 years.
Family's Heartbreaking Statement
In a poignant statement read to the court, Ms Kaur's family described their struggle as people in the community questioned what had happened to her. They expressed, "We feel guilty that we did not know everything she was going through. We wish we could have done more to help her." Ms Kaur, known as Soni and originally from Punjab, India, was remembered as a hardworking, kind, and charitable individual who always supported her family and friends.
Her family added, "Paramjit was very caring and was always there when we, as a family, needed her. We all feel a huge loss not being able to call her and speak to her. Knowing she is gone and that we don't have her support is very hard." They also revealed the torment of waiting six months for her funeral due to the investigation, which delayed her being laid to rest.
Court Proceedings and Impact
Despite walking into West Bromwich police station hours after the murder and confessing to officers, Mattu denied the charge in court and did not give evidence during the trial. Judge John Butterfield KC noted that the knife wounds were likely inflicted when Ms Kaur was unconscious or near death. The family expressed that not knowing the exact circumstances of her death has been tortuous, stating, "we just want to know what happened to Paramjit."
Prosecutor Jonathan Barker detailed the devastating impact on Ms Kaur's mother, Surinder Kaur, who lives in Punjab and feels helpless and responsible for sending her daughter to the UK for marriage. Judge Butterfield offered sympathy, emphasizing she should not bear any blame. Forensic pathologist Dr. Alexander Kolar concluded that strangulation caused Ms Kaur's death, with the stab wounds occurring afterward.
This case underscores the severe consequences of domestic abuse and the lasting trauma it inflicts on families, urging greater awareness and support for victims in similar situations.
