London couple accused of deliberately starving their three-year-old daughter to death deny murder

"On December 17 2023, police found Penelope's "very emaciated" body wrapped in a sheet with bruising to her neck, the court was told previously. An examination of her body found the cause of death was malnutrition. There were also marks to the neck "consistent with the use of bindings", and injuries to the hands consistent with a sharp object such as a knife, the court heard."

"Prosecutor Philip McGhee previously said the Crown's case was that the defendants mistreated their daughter over an "extended period of time" and "deliberately starved" her, leading to her death. The court also heard that the couple failed to register Penelope's birth, provide her with GP care or education as they "isolated" themselves from the wider world. At the time Penelope died, officers were said to have found the family's vegetarian diet mainly consisted of yoghurt, lentils and butter."

Jaskiret Singh Uppal, 36, and Manpreet Jatana, 34, pleaded not guilty to murdering their three-year-old daughter, Penelope Chandle, and denied related offences. A trial was set to begin on January 11, 2027. On December 17, 2023, police found Penelope's very emaciated body wrapped in a sheet with neck bruising; an examination recorded malnutrition as the cause of death and marks consistent with bindings and hand injuries consistent with a sharp object. Prosecutors allege prolonged mistreatment and deliberate starvation, failure to register the birth or provide medical care or education, and isolation from wider society; the couple initially considered cremating the body in the garden.

Read at www.standard.co.uk