Man, 24, stabs woman, 39, to death in London as revenge for ending relationship, gets life imprisonment

A 24-year-old man in the United Kingdom has been sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted of murdering a 39-year-old woman who tried to end their relationship.

According to a press release by the Metropolitan Police, Deepak Sandhu, an Indian national, was sentenced on Oct. 16, 2026, with a minimum term of 28 years for the murder of Ke Xiaoqing.

Sandhu had pleaded with Ke, a Chinese national, to give him a second chance, but instead killed her in her home after she agreed to meet him.

Secret relationship

Sandhu arrived in the UK in September 2024 on a student visa, which was revoked six months later, according to The Mirror.

Meanwhile, Ke arrived in March 2025 on a standard visitor visa.

The two met at a brothel in Southampton where Ke was working.

They entered a secret relationship, relying on a translation app to communicate as they spoke different languages.

When Ke later moved to London, the pair stayed in touch.

Lies and deceit

The relationship turned sour when Ke discovered that Sandhu had stolen £500 (S$854) from her handbag and had lied continuously about his life, reported The Standard.

The lies included claims that he was a model and actor, as well as the whereabouts of his sister.

After admitting to stealing Ke’s money, Sandhu fabricated another lie and claimed to have been robbed of £3,550 (S$5,982) in the United States.

He also told her he had a job at a bank that paid £6,000 (S$10,256) a month.

Revenge killing

After finding out about the lies, Ke called him a liar and asked him to pay her back.

According to The Independent, she told him: “Don’t come see me. I’m clear, I’m not a fool.”

In retaliation, Sandhu told her former brothel boss that she “will regret what she has done”.

He also asked an associate on WhatsApp, “Do you think I have to take my revenge on her?”

However, he still pleaded with Ke to give him another chance, and said he had the money he stole.

He also told her that he knew someone who could get her British citizenship, reported The Mirror.

Murdered her

Ke eventually agreed to meet Sandhu.

On Dec. 9, 2025, Sandhu bought knives and travelled to Old Brompton Road, Earl's Court, where she stayed.

Ke’s Airbnb’s doorbell camera footage showed him arriving wearing a baseball cap and with his face covered.

He was then spotted leaving about 90 minutes later.

After the act, he called his sister and told her "a professional" had killed Ke, according to The Standard.

He then booked a one-way flight from Birmingham to Mumbai.

Police called

The next morning, Ke’s neighbours spotted blood on her door and around the area, and called the police to do a welfare check.

She was found face down on her bedroom floor with multiple stab wounds, and his blood was also found at the scene, reported The Standard.

A murder investigation was opened, and Sandhu was identified as the main suspect, the Metropolitan Police said.

He was arrested while he was travelling on a National Express coach from Southampton to Birmingham Airport on Dec. 12, 2025.