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    Justice At Last For Family Of Surjit Singh Chhokar

    Wednesday, 5 October 2016 14:35

    A man has been convicted of the 1998 murder of waiter Surjit Singh Chhokar after being tried for a second time.

    Ronnie Coulter, 48, from Wishaw, was originally cleared of stabbing the 32-year-old in Overtown, North Lanarkshire, following a trial in 1999.

    The Crown was given permission to bring a second prosecution following changes to Scotland's double jeopardy laws.

    The trial heard that Ronnie Coulter, his nephew Andrew Coulter and another man, David Montgomery, went to see Mr Chhokar on 4 November 1998 following a row over a stolen £100 Giro cheque.

    Mr Chhokar was stabbed three times in the chest and one of the blows pierced his heart, resulting in his death from massive blood loss.

    Coulter (pictured below) was convicted at the second trial at the High Court in Glasgow. He now faces a mandatory life term at sentencing which was deferred until 31st October.

    Ronnie Coulter

    Detective Chief Superintendent Clark Cuzen said, “If Darshan Singh Chhokar (Surjit's father) was alive today, I can only imagine his feelings at seeing justice being served."

    "It is important to recognise the tireless campaigning for justice over the years by the Chhokar family and their lawyer, Aamer Anwar. I hope they can take some comfort from today’s verdict."

    "This has been a complex and challenging two-year investigation involving extensive police work to trace the original witnesses, establish the chain of new associates known to the accused since then and take fresh statements from them all."

    "Through the passage of time, people can change allegiances and new evidence can come to light through independent statements."

    "This tireless activity ultimately revealed fresh evidence that pointed the finger firmly at Ronnie Coulter as the man responsible for the violent and calculated attack on Surjit Singh Chhokar."

    “Whilst we were unable to find evidence of racial motivation at the time of the murder, there was evidence to support the fact that Ronnie Coulter described Surjit using racist terms when confessing to the murder."

    "Coulter has been cowardly for showing absolutely no remorse for his crimes and the fact that he has actively and deliberately tried to evade justice for years speaks volume about the individual."

    "Surjit Singh Chhokar was a well-liked member of the community and did not deserve to be the victim of a sustained period of intimidation which ultimately led to his murder."

    "The Chhokar family has been robbed of their son and has endured years of uncertainty and our thoughts remain with them today."

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