Grief-stricken mum of DPD worker hacked to death with axe reveals 'unending ache of sorrow'

A grief-stricken mum whose only son was chopped at with an axe during a horrific 'public execution' has spoken of her 'unending ache of sorrow'. The family of 'caring' murder victim Aurman Singh has been left heartbroken after the 23-year-old was hacked to death with an arsenal of weapons in Shropshire.

He had been working in the area with a DPD colleague when he was ambushed by masked assailants and left for dead in the street. His killers have since been locked up for more than 100 years for their chilling onslaught.

Stafford Crown Court heard of the 'pain and devastation' still felt by Aurman's family. In a statement, Aurman's mum described him as 'a beacon of love, kindness, and selflessness'.

READ MORE: Moment axe used to bludgeon DPD worker to death dumped by killer

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She said: "I felt as though my very soul had been torn from my body, replaced by an unending ache of sorrow." The court heard how Aurman, from Smethwick, was a much-loved member of his family.

Judge Kristina Montgomery KC said: "Aurman was a young man of great promise, loved by all who knew him for his easy laugh and caring nature. That part of his character was called to the fore when his father died.

"He took on an even greater responsibility to protect and guide his younger sister. She has been plunged into deep and enduring grief.

"Her young life has had its projectory shifted and, like her mother, she will never be the same person or be able to live her life the same way as she did before." A total of five men were convicted for their part in Aurman's death and sentenced on Friday, April 12.

• Arshdeep Singh, 24, of Shaw Road, Tipton, was jailed for life, with a minimum term of 28 years, after being unanimously convicted of murder

• Jagdeep Singh, 23, of Goodrich Mews, Dudley, was jailed for life, with a minimum term of 28 years, after being unanimously convicted of murder
  

• Shivdeep Singh, 27, of Greenfield Road, Smethwick, was jailed for life, with a minimum term of 28 years, after being unanimously convicted of murder
  

• Manjot Singh, 24, of Greenfield Road, Smethwick, was jailed for life, with a minimum term of 28 years, after being unanimously convicted of murder
  

• Sukhmandeep Singh, 25, formerly of Greenfield Road, Smethwick, was jailed for 10 years after being acquitted of murder but unanimously convicted of manslaughter

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Bellamy, of West Mercia Police, said: "I am pleased that significant sentences have been handed to these men for the brutal murder of Aurman. These five men are dangerous individuals who will now serve a considerable sentence in prison where they cannot cause further harm to the wider public.

"We are incredibly grateful for the support from local residents and those who provided vital information to assist with our investigation and gave evidence in court. Aurman’s family have understandably been left shattered, when he was tragically killed in a planned and brutal attack in Shrewsbury, and my thoughts and condolences remain with them.

"The sentence should send a strong message to those who think they can come into our towns and cities to commit violent crime that we will not stop in our efforts to find them and put them before the courts. This was a complex investigation which saw us work with police forces across the country and I’d like to thank the investigation team and those involved for their hard work and commitment."

A six-week trial heard how Aurman left DPD's depot in Stoke-on-Trent before he made his way to Shrewsbury with a colleague. His location was provided to the killers by Sukhmandeep - who also worked at the depot but did not take part in the attack.

Prosecutors said a total of eight men travelled to Berwick Avenue on August 21 last year. They laid in wait for Aurman before pouncing on him and unleashing their deadly attack.

Shivdeep acted as the Audi getaway driver, taking his three accomplices to and from the scene. Four other men - Harpreet Singh, Arshdeep's cousin Mehakdeep Singh, Harwinder Singh Turna and Sehajpal Singh - are still wanted in connection with the case after leaving the scene in a Mercedes.

Weapons wielded by the thugs included an axe, golf club, wooden stave, metal bar, hockey stick, shovel, knife and cricket bat. Aurman's family previously paid tribute to him.

In a statement released by police after the men were convicted of their crimes, Aurman's mum said: "There are no words that could ever explain the impact this tragedy has had on me and my family. Today a mother will grow old without her son.

"A sister will grow up without her brother. We don’t want what has happened to us to happen to another family.

"It is an unbearable loss for us which has changed our lives. My daughter and myself will be living our lives for the sake of it but our happiness and the will to live is not there.

"We would like to thank the police for conducting their investigation diligently and supporting us through this tough time."