Man charged for
murdering shop assistant NRI Rina Panchal in Leicester
Leicester, UK, Jan 07, 2007
Sant Parkash
NRI press
NRI Rina Panchal, 26, shop assistant was stabbed
to death. She was repeatedly knifed shortly after arriving at
the TK Maxx store in Thurmaston, near Leicester. The attacker
fled on a bicycle. The Leicester Police said Mrs Panchal, of nearby
Birstall, was stabbed several times just after 8am - an hour before
the store was due to open. She was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary
but was pronounced dead.
The attacker, William Otim Alikori, 31, of Leicester, handed
himself in to police shortly after the incident on Wednesday morning.
The attacke is thought to be a cleaner at the store, is due to
appear before magistrates in the city this morning.
Her husband, Jayant Panchal said, "Rina was not only my
wife, she was also a very loving sister, daughter and auntie to
other members of our family. She was a brave, sweet, fun-loving
person. She had a bubbly personality, and apart from being my
wife she was also my best friend. Everyone who came into contact
with her left with a smile. She had many friends within the community
and will be sadly missed by all who knew her."
Detective Superintendent Martin Morrissey, said: 'Mrs Panchal's
family are understandably devastated by her death and are being
supported by police family liaison officers.
TK Maxx managing director Paul Sweetenham said Mrs Panchal had
been employed there since the shop opened just under a year ago.
He said: "She was always cheerful and bright. Her positive
and warm outlook made her a very popular colleague, and she will
be deeply missed."
Vice-president Deborah Dolce added: "We are closing the
store for the next few days as a mark of respect. We feel it is
the right thing to do."
TK Maxx is a U.S.-owned discount clothing store with almost 200
stores across the UK and Ireland. It specialises in selling cut-price
designer clothing, furnishings and footwear.
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