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UK Court Sentences Indian-Origin Man to Life for 30-Year-Old Sex Worker Murder

 

London court has sentenced Sandip Patel, a 51-year-old of Indian origin, to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of Marina Koppel that occurred 30 years ago. Patel was found guilty of stabbing Koppel over 140 times in her flat in the Westminster area of London in 1994. The sentencing took place at the Old Bailey court in the city on Friday. The court heard that innovative forensic work by the Metropolitan Police's forensics team played a pivotal role in connecting Patel to the crime through his hair strand found on a ring worn by Koppel.

Marina Koppel, 39 at the time of her tragic death, led an unconventional yet happily married life, working as a masseuse and occasional sex worker. She split her time between her flat during the week and weekends with her husband in Northampton. The couple's relationship, though unconventional, was described as loving. Marina worked hard to support her family in Colombia, sending money home to her two children cared for by her family there.

The crime unfolded on August 8, 1994, when Marina's husband discovered her lifeless body covered in blood at their flat. The police launched an investigation, collecting crucial evidence from the crime scene, including the ring Marina wore. Despite finding a plastic shopping bag with Patel's fingerprints, the case remained unsolved for years.

In a breakthrough in 2008, a ring with attached hair was examined. However, it wasn't until 2022 that sensitive DNA techniques allowed for a profile to be obtained from the hair. The DNA was then linked to Patel, whose DNA was on record due to a charge of Actual Bodily Harm (ABH) in 2012.

The case was taken up by Specialist Crime detectives, leading to Patel's arrest in January 2022 on suspicion of Marina's murder. Further evidence, including fingerprint and footprint matches, reinforced the case. The jury found Patel guilty based on DNA evidence, fingerprints on the plastic bag, and the use of Marina's stolen bank card at an ATM near Patel's home.

Detective Superintendent Katherine Goodwin praised the justice brought to Marina's family, even though her husband did not live to see this day. Marina's relatives paid tribute to her, expressing the enduring impact of losing her early in life. The case highlights the role of evolving forensic techniques in solving cold cases, demonstrating the commitment of law enforcement to seeking justice even after many years.

Feb. 20, 2024 12:03 p.m. 1491

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