Chilling CCTV shows final moments of Leicester woman before partner murdered her

CCTV footage showing the last movements of a Leicester woman before she was murdered by her partner has been released by police after he was jailed for at least 21 years. The haunting images capture Tarnjeet Riaz, 44, just hours before she was killed in what a judge described as a "savage and merciless" attack.

Raj Sidpara, 50, of Tarbat Road, Thurnby Lodge, was handed a mandatory life sentence at Leicester Crown Court yesterday (Friday, November 29) for killing Ms Riaz, also known as Tarnjeet Chagger. The footage shows the couple leaving a bar in Lewisher Road, off Barkby Road, around 11pm on Sunday, May 5, before returning to Sidpara's home where Ms Riaz was later found unresponsive.

The court heard Ms Riaz suffered 64 injuries including bruising, brain trauma and 20 broken ribs in the brutal attack. After beating, kicking and stamping on his partner, Sidpara removed his "bloody shoes" and went to sleep beside her as she lay dead or dying, later calling 999 the following morning when it was too late.

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Judge William Harbage KC condemned Sidpara's actions during sentencing. "She died at the hands of her partner – someone she should have been able to trust," he told the court, adding that Sidpara had "hidden behind a false claim of having no memory of the incident."

The jury rejected Sidpara's claim that Ms Riaz had injured herself in a fall while drunk, a defense he maintained throughout the trial. He had initially admitted manslaughter but was convicted of the more serious charge of murder earlier this month after the prosecution presented overwhelming evidence of his guilt.

In a powerful statement read to the court, Ms Riaz's brother Balraj Chagger said his sister had been the "soul" of their family. "We will never know how this disgusting man took enjoyment from doing this to people and to Tarnjeet," he told the court, adding that his sister was "ripped away from us in a way so violent we cannot begin to understand."

The court was told Sidpara had an "established pattern" of domestic abuse, including previous convictions for violence. His record showed multiple incidents of domestic violence and making threats to kill a former partner, establishing a clear pattern of abusive behavior.

Anyone affected by domestic abuse can contact Women's Aid's 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

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