Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Man jailed for killing father with cricket bat

Man jailed for killing father with cricket bat

A man who beat his father to death with a cricket bat and a metal dog bowl has been jailed for a minimum of 20 years, reported the BBC

Phillip Badwal, 25, had denied murdering his father but changed his plea on Wednesday (5).


Santokh Singh, 59, known as Charlie, was attacked by his son Phillip Badwal, 25, at their home in Airedale Road, Bradford, on 30 November 2020.

According to the report, Bradford Crown Court heard Badwal, who was on bail at the time of the attack, inflicted "unspeakable violence" after an argument with his father.

Singh, who had worked as a publican and an engineer, suffered extensive skull fractures, fractures to his face and nose and a broken leg during the 20-minute attack at the family home.

Judge Jonathan Rose described the murder as "a savage, brutal and prolonged attack on a defenceless and vulnerable man".

The court heard Badwal had previously subjected his father to threats and violence and had forced him to go out and buy drugs for him as well as pay off drug debts.

The day before the attack Singh had gone with relatives to see a new flat, having said how unhappy he had been in the family home.

After the attack, Badwal called drug dealer numbers instead of emergency services.

He also tried to cover his tracks by throwing the cricket bat over a neighbour's fence, disposing of his phone and telling police his father had come home that morning badly injured.

Barrister Peter Moulson QC said Badwal's addiction to drugs was the root cause of the offending and his client could not recall what had happened in the house.

At the time of the attack, he was on bail for his involvement in multiple street robberies and was jailed for five years at Leicester Crown Court in May.

"Badwal unleashed a serious and sustained assault on his father in the house that they shared, leaving him with injuries which were to sadly prove fatal," Det Supt Tony Nicholson was quoted as saying by the BBC.

"Rather than seek urgent medical attention for his seriously injured father, Badwal contacted drug dealers before finally ringing the emergency services, who, despite their best efforts, were unable to revive Singh."

More For You

Starmer-Reeves-Getty

Starmer and Reeves during a visit to Horiba Mira in Nuneaton, to mark the launch of the Government's Industrial Strategy on June 23, 2025 in Nuneaton. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Reeves ‘going nowhere’, says Starmer after tears in parliament

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer on Wednesday said that Chancellor Rachel Reeves would remain in her role for “a very long time to come”, after she appeared visibly upset in parliament as questions were raised about her future.

Reeves was seen with tears rolling down her face during Prime Minister’s Questions, after Starmer did not confirm whether she would remain chancellor until the next general election, expected in 2029.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bangladesh begins trial over slain student activist

Chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus , prays at Abu Sayeed’s grave

Bangladesh begins trial over slain student activist

BANGLADESH opened on Monday (30) the murder trial of student protester Abu Sayeed, whose killing last year escalated demonstrations nationwide that ultimately ousted then prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Sayeed died aged 23 in the northern city of Rangpur, the first student demonstrator killed in the police crackdown on protests.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-trump-getty
Modi shakes hands with Trump before a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 25, 2020. (Photo: Getty Images)
Getty Images

Indian exporters watch closely as Trump says trade deal with India likely

THE US could reach a trade deal with India that would help American companies compete more easily in the Indian market and reduce tariff rates, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday. However, he cast doubt on a similar deal with Japan.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said he believed India was ready to lower trade barriers, potentially paving the way for an agreement that would avoid the 26 per cent tariff rate he had announced on April 2 and paused until July 9.

Keep ReadingShow less
Fathers over 60 help 'reverse UK birthrate decline'

Photo for representation (Photo: iStock)

Fathers over 60 help 'reverse UK birthrate decline'

THE UK has recorded its first increase in births since 2021, with a notable rise in babies born to fathers over 60 helping to lift the numbers, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

 

In 2024, there were 594,677 live births in England and Wales, up 0.6 per cent from the previous year. While this is a modest increase, it marks a change after several years of decline.

Keep ReadingShow less
Quad-leaders

The foreign ministers of the Quad — India, the US, Australia and Japan — met in Washington DC on Tuesday to outline priorities for the bloc’s annual summit to be held in India later this year. (Photo credit: X/@DrSJaishankar)

X/@DrSJaishankar

Quad condemns Pahalgam attack, flags China’s actions and Myanmar crisis

THE QUAD grouping has called for the perpetrators, organisers and financiers of the Pahalgam terror attack to be brought to justice without delay. The group also urged all UN member states to cooperate in the process.

The foreign ministers of the Quad — India, the US, Australia and Japan — met in Washington DC on Tuesday to outline priorities for the bloc’s annual summit to be held in India later this year.

Keep ReadingShow less