A 27-year-old illegal immigrant was in custody today after being found guilty of the manslaughter of two men at a Shropshire flat.

Sukhdev Singh was cleared of murdering Jaswant Singh, 30, and Kulwant Singh, 31, at a flat above the Shawbury Fish Bar on December 7 last year. 

See also: Tragedy of illegal immigrant

But a jury of six men and six women yesterday found him guilty of the manslaughter of the men following a three-week trial at Stafford Crown Court. 

It took the jury six hours and 18 minutes to reach a  verdict.

Judge Simon Tonking adjourned the case for sentence and remanded Singh in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Morgan, the senior investigating officer in the case, said the “harrowing” incident had shocked the community.

“He used a hammer to render them helpless and then strangled them both,” he said.

“Singh then went on the run in a bid to evade capture.

“A major police operation involving more than 60 officers from Shropshire and other parts of West Mercia was launched and following extensive inquiries, Singh was arrested five days later at Smethwick in the West Midlands.

“I am very much aware this tragic incident shocked the local community around Shawbury, and indeed, further afield. The three men were reasonably well known in the area, with two of them working at the fish bar they lived above. 

“It was therefore pleasing from a policing perspective that we were able to trace the offender so quickly.

“I would like to thank members of the local community for coming forward to provide evidence and information which enabled the police to bring the case to a successful conclusion.  In particular, I would like to thank the Punjabi community across the region for its help and co-operation. 

“Finally, even though such violent crimes remain relatively rare in Shropshire and West Mercia as a whole, this was a particularly harrowing incident in the heart of a rural village.  

“Our thoughts are with the victims’ families in the Punjab region of India. I hope the conclusion of the court case will provide some measure of comfort for them.”

By Debbie Collins