An Indian national, Deepak Sandhu, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his former girlfriend, Xiaoqing Ke, in a knife attack in west London before attempting to flee the United Kingdom.
The 24-year-old was sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, 16 October 2026, and must serve a minimum of 28 years before he can be considered for release on parole.
Sandhu was found guilty of murdering the 39-year-old Chinese woman at her accommodation on Old Brompton Road, Earl’s Court, on 9 December 2025. A jury also convicted him of perverting the course of justice.
Prosecutors said he planned the attack after Ms Ke ended their relationship, having discovered that he had stolen money from her and repeatedly lied about his personal circumstances.
Sandhu, who lived in Southampton, travelled to London carrying a knife he had purchased several days earlier. He stabbed Ms Ke inside her rented accommodation before returning to Southampton.
He later booked a one-way flight to Mumbai, India, but police arrested him on a coach travelling towards Birmingham Airport on 12 December, three days after the killing.
The sentence was confirmed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) following Friday’s court hearing.
Relationship ended after woman discovered stolen money
The Old Bailey heard that Sandhu and Ms Ke had been involved in a brief relationship after meeting in Southampton.
Their relationship deteriorated when she discovered that he had stolen £500 from her and made false claims about his background.
According to prosecutors, Sandhu had presented himself as a successful model and actor, despite having left his university course and working in construction.
He had originally travelled to Britain on a student visa to study at Southampton Solent University.
However, his visa was revoked after he failed to maintain the attendance required for his studies.
During their relationship, Sandhu and Ms Ke communicated partly through translation software because they did not share a common language.
Investigators later examined their messages and discovered that Sandhu had become increasingly angry when Ms Ke tried to end their relationship.
The prosecution said he repeatedly contacted her and expressed a desire to take revenge.
In one exchange with an associate, he questioned whether he should seek revenge against her. In another message, he predicted that he would become an evil person. Prosecutors said the exchanges helped establish that the killing was not a spontaneous act but followed days of growing anger and preparation.
How the London murder happened
The court heard that Sandhu persuaded Ms Ke to meet him by promising to return the money he had taken and claiming he could help with her citizenship application. On 9 December, he travelled by coach from Southampton to London with a knife.
Investigators obtained CCTV footage showing him approaching Ms Ke’s accommodation while wearing a baseball cap and face covering.
A video doorbell recorded Ms Ke allowing him into the property.
He remained inside for approximately 90 minutes before leaving.
Prosecutors said Ms Ke was subjected to a sustained knife attack that caused fatal injuries.
Her body was discovered the following day after police received a welfare concern and attended the property.
Officers found her with multiple stab wounds and launched a murder investigation.
The Metropolitan Police said forensic evidence, phone messages, CCTV footage and other enquiries helped establish Sandhu’s involvement.
Investigators also found that nobody else had been recorded entering or leaving the accommodation during the relevant period after Sandhu arrived. These findings formed part of the evidence presented to the jury during his trial.
Killer invented robbery story before booking flight to India
After leaving Ms Ke’s accommodation, Sandhu attempted to distance himself from the murder.
He contacted his sister in India and claimed that another man had killed Ms Ke during a robbery.
According to prosecutors, he falsely suggested that the supposed attacker had threatened Ms Ke before stabbing her.
Despite making those claims, he did not contact emergency services or report the incident to police.
Instead, he returned to Southampton, changed the SIM card in his telephone and made arrangements to leave Britain.
He purchased a one-way airline ticket from Birmingham to Mumbai.
Police traced his movements and arrested him on 12 December while he was travelling by coach towards Birmingham Airport.
During his trial, Sandhu admitted lying about aspects of the incident but denied murdering Ms Ke.
He claimed another person was responsible for her death.
However, jurors rejected his account and convicted him of murder and perverting the course of justice on Thursday, 15 October. He was sentenced the following day.
Police reveal controlling behaviour before murder
Following the conviction, the Metropolitan Police said its investigation uncovered evidence of controlling and abusive behaviour directed towards Ms Ke.
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, who led the investigation, said Sandhu had become fixated on the victim after their relationship began to break down.
Police established that he sent repeated messages expressing anger and resentment before travelling to London to attack her.
Jolley expressed sympathy for Ms Ke’s family, saying officers recognised the suffering they had experienced since her death.
He also stressed the Metropolitan Police’s commitment to investigating violence against women and girls and bringing perpetrators to justice.
The case illustrates how threats, controlling behaviour and attempts to prevent someone from ending a relationship can precede serious violence.
However, such warning signs do not mean that every troubled relationship will lead to physical harm.
The police investigation in this case relied on specific evidence of threats, planning and Sandhu’s actions before and after the killing.
Prosecutors welcome life sentence
The Crown Prosecution Service described the attack as calculated and brutal.
Senior Crown Prosecutor Shikha Varma said Ms Ke had recognised Sandhu’s repeated dishonesty and decided to end their relationship.
Rather than accepting her decision, Sandhu responded by killing her.
The CPS said it remained committed to prosecuting those responsible for serious violence against women and girls.
Friday’s sentence means Sandhu must serve at least 28 years in prison before becoming eligible for consideration by the Parole Board.
The minimum term does not guarantee his release after 28 years. Any eventual release would depend on a decision by the Parole Board, and he would remain subject to the conditions of his life sentence.
For Ms Ke’s family, the sentence concludes the criminal trial but cannot reverse the loss of their loved one.
The case has also drawn attention to the importance of identifying threatening and controlling behaviour, particularly when someone attempts to leave a relationship.
People in the UK experiencing domestic abuse or threats can contact the police on 999 in an emergency. The free National Domestic Abuse Helpline, operated by Refuge, is available on 0808 2000 247.
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