Court hears testimony from friend of dead student

Leeds Crown Court has heard the testimony of a friend of Jagdip Randhawa, who died in Leeds last October.

The doctor who carried out Jagdip’s post mortem was also present to add his evidence to the hearing.

Professional boxer Clifton Mitchell is accused of murder but denies responsibility.

Jagdip, affectionately known as ‘Jags’, had been on a night out to Tiger Tiger nightclub. The English and Linguistics student later became involved in a fight near Subway on Albion Street.

Jagdip had begun to walk home after the altercation, but was later confronted again by the accused, the court heard. Prosecutor Peter Moulson QC told the court that a series of punches were then landed before Jags collapsed.

“This second, and we say fatal, punch was again delivered by the defendant, the professional boxer, to Mr. Randhawa’s face. The force of the blow was such to put Mr. Randhawa to the ground again”, he said.

Jagdip passed away in hospital five days later.

Naomi Alexander, one of Jags’ friends, described the series of events leading to the second year student’s death, telling the court: “It was [Mitchell] who was instigating a fight…[Jagdip’s] head bounced of the pavement and hit the pavement again.”

Dr. Lumb, who carried out the post mortem on 19-year-old Jags, stated in his report that the treatment Jagdip received in hospital played a part in his tragic death. Mr. Moulson told the court: “Dr. Lumb believes that the hypoxia – the starvation of oxygen to the brain – caused by a defective ventilator, exacerbated the effects of the head injury and made a potentially survivable injury one which was inevitably fatal.”

The case continues.

Author: Rehema Figueiredo