Kirandeep Kaur vigils a comfort, her brother says

The eldest brother of a 24-year-old woman who was fatally stabbed in west London has said his family have been comforted by vigils held following her death.

Kirandeep Kaur was killed as she lay in bed with her baby and husband at her Uxbridge Road home in Hayes on 12 July.

Speaking from India, her brother Paljinder Singh told BBC London, that the vigils "gave us comfort that people over there were standing with us", adding: "If we'd known what was going to happen, we would never have let her go."

A 46-year-old man has been charged with murder.

Kaur moved to the UK two years ago to study at Buckinghamshire New University before working at a grocery store.

Her family lives in Tarn Taran, a prominent city and district headquarters in the Majha region of Punjab, located about 13 miles (22km) south of Amritsar.

Speaking through a translator, Singh said her initial plan had been to move to Canada, but after that fell through, "it worked out for London".

"We never thought when she left, just two years ago... we never thought she would never come back," he said.

Describing his younger sister, Singh said: "She was a lovely person. If you asked anyone in the village, they would say that.

"She would never say anything bad about anybody. She never said no to helping anyone.

"When she was near, everything was lovely. After what has happened, things will never be normal again. All my life, I will never forget her."

Several marches and vigils have been held in west London by the local community following Kaur's death.

Singh said seeing the turnout and solidarity from hundreds of miles away had brought the family comfort.

"We were very grateful to hear about the vigils," he said.

"Everyone got together to raise the case. Hopefully, this will not happen to another family."

He added that the family are keen for her body to be returned to India.

"I will never speak to her on the phone again, but I want to see her one last time," he said.

Daniel Sean James, 46, is accused of attacking Kaur in her home on Uxbridge Road in the early hours of 12 July.

He then allegedly jumped out of a window and broke both ankles before being detained by police nearby.

On Thursday, James, of Mercer Place, Pinner, west London, appeared at the Old Bailey by videolink from Wormwood Scrubs.

He was charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of a blade.

Judge Nigel Lickley KC set a plea hearing for 1 October and James was placed into custody.

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