An Indian national has been sentenced to life in Australia after killing a woman walking her dog.
Cairns Supreme Court Justice Lincoln Crowley handed 41-year-old Rajwinder Singh a life term in prison with the possibility of parole for the brutal stabbing death of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley. After a four-week trial and seven hours of deliberation, Singh was found guilty by a jury of murder.
“It has been a long journey, including the announcement of the reward for information, $1 million—the largest in Queensland’s history. Our thoughts, and I know those of the tight-knit community of Cairns, have always been and will continue to be with Toyah’s family," said Cairns Detective Inspector Sonia Smith, according to Oxygen True Crime.
On Oct. 21, 2018, Cordingley was reported missing around 11 pm after she took her dog for a walk. The victim’s body was found early the next morning at Wangetti Beach by her father, Troy Cordingley.
An autopsy report showed Cordingley suffered several stab wounds to her heart, lung, and kidney, in addition to several defensive wounds to her fingers, hands, and forearm. However, it was the cut to her neck that ultimately was the cause of death.
By the time investigators established Singh, who was described as a competent and well-respected nurse, as the murder suspect, the defendant had fled to India to avoid prosecution.
Seven years passed before Singh was extradited from India and convicted, in addition to the defendant’s first trial that ended with a hung jury.
“You left without even saying a proper goodbye to your wife, your parents, your children, demonstrating that your only concern was to save your own skin, regardless of the consequences for your family. Your conduct offers some insight into the selfish and heartless individual you truly are," said Crowley during the sentencing hearing, reported ABC News.
Cordingley was described as someone full of love for everything and an animal lover who cared for rescued dogs.
Singh will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years in prison.
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