First conviction in over 100 years for unique poisoning

In a highly publicised case dealt with by the CPS London Homicide Team a woman has become the first in over a hundred years to be convicted of murder by aconite poisoning.

Lakhvir Kaur Singh was convicted of one count of murder and one count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after poisoning her former lover, Lakhvinder Cheema, with a curry after he became engaged to a younger woman.

She was sentenced to life with a minimum of 23 years and is the first person to be convicted of murder in this way since 1882.

The case was dealt with by reviewing lawyer Michael Mulkerrins and paralegal officer Angela Lesflores. In quotes issued to the local media, Michael Mulkerrins said: "Lakhvir Singh was a woman seemingly consumed by jealousy when she administered the poison in what was a premeditated, deliberate and carefully planned attack. 

"The substance she used was extremely toxic and the intention of using it must have only been to kill."

Singh had become jealous when the victim ended their secret 16-year affair and arranged for his wedding to take place on Valentines Day 2009.

Two weeks before the wedding was to take place Singh sprinkled the toxin, which was described in court as the Queen of all poisons, over a vegetarian meal cooked for the couple.

Within moments of eating the food both became ill. Mr Cheema was blinded and paralysed within an hour and died shortly after arriving at hospital. Giving evidence in court, his fiance, who survived the attack, explained: "He said that everything seemed to be going dark.  He could not see anything and was losing feelings in his body."

In her victim impact statement she added: "I still do not feel fully recovered and I believe it will affect me for the rest of my life."