The Newshound

Indian migrant Deepak Sandhu is jailed for 28 years after stabbing sex worker Xiaoqing Ke to death at London Airbnb

Indian migrant Deepak Sandhu is jailed for 28 years after stabbing sex worker Xiaoqing Ke to death at London Airbnb

Deepak Sandhu, 24, had his student visa revoked after dropping out of Southampton Solent University but remained in Britain illegally for nine months before carrying out the killing. He bought knives days in advance, travelled from Southampton to west London, and stabbed Xiaoqing Ke, 39, a mother of two, in a "sustained and brutal" attack on 9 December 2025. Prosecutor Caroline Carberry KC told the Old Bailey he had become "an obsessed, manipulative young man" who could not accept rejection.

Ke had discovered Sandhu stole £500 from her handbag, ending their secret relationship conducted via a translation app.

Sandhu fled the flat, destroyed his SIM card and booked a flight to Mumbai — only to be caught aboard a National Express coach bound for Birmingham Airport.

The judge heard Ke was "at least fleetingly aware she was about to die" as the wounds inflicted on her exceeded what was required to kill her.

MoreThe TelegraphMigrant jailed for 28 years after murdering woman who rejected him at AirbnbDaily MailIndian migrant murdered woman at Airbnb after student visa was revokedThe SunMigrant jailed for murdering woman in 'brutal revenge attack' at London AirbnbFacebookFormer Southampton student killed woman in ‘brutal revenge attack’ after £500 theft exposed Deepak Sandhu, 24, murdered Xiaoqing Ke at her London Airbnb before attempting to flee the country, the Old Bailey heard. A fantasist and thief has been found guil - FacebookNewsBytesIndian student convicted of murdering Xiaoqing Ke at London Airbnb - NewsBytesThe Times of IndiaIndian student Deepak Sandhu convicted of murdering woman at London Airbnb after she confronted him over - The Times of IndiainklIndian student Deepak Sandhu convicted of murdering woman at London Airbnb after she confronted him over stolen £500BBC News - EnglandFailed Southampton student jailed for 28 years for London murder
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →