Mother’s single tear shed in 18-year wait for justice
Evil killer Coulter sentenced to 19 years
Th e m o t h e r o f Overtown waiter Surjit Singh Chhokar insisted it was not a time for celebration after she watched his evil killer receive a life sentence for his murder.
Ronnie Coulter, from Wishaw, was told he must serve a minimum of 19 years and eight months before he can apply for parole.
The 48- year- old was convicted by majority verdict last month following a fourweek trial.
Surjit’s mother Gurdev shed a tear outside the court after learning of Coulter’s life sentence.
She said: “We have had to campaign for this for 18 years and today we have finally seen justice for Surjit.
“It is not a time for celebration but we are happy that this man is behind bars, something that makes all families safer.
“I think the system has now changed to make sure that other families don’t have to go through the 18- year struggle that we have done to get justice.
“Nothing can bring back Surjit, so we are not celebrating, but I hope the Scottish system is better today – and that will be Surjit’s legacy.
“I think victims will now be respected by the system.
“We hope the police and others have learned some lessons about how to treat victims and how to deal with racist crimes like this, and we thank them for finally helping to bring this man to justice.”
Following the guilty verdict, Gurdev, whose husband Darshan died last year before he saw Coulter stand trial for a second time, told the Wishaw Press how she would never forgive his evil killer.
She also thanked the people of Wishaw, Overtown and Law who have supported the family over the years.
The trial heard that Ronnie Coulter, his nephew Andrew Coulter and another man, David Montgomery, went to see Mr Chhokar on November 4, 1998 following a row over a stolen £100 Giro cheque.
After an altercation, Mr Chhokar collapsed in front of his partner Liz Bryce.
He was stabbed three times in the chest and one of the blows pierced his heart, resulting in his death from massive blood loss.
Both Andrew Coulter and David Montgomery gave evidence during the trial and admitted being there on the night Mr Chhokar died, but they denied murder.
Trial judge Lord Matthews praised the dignity of the Chhokar family who had fought for justice for the past 18 years.
Sentencing Coulter, Lord Matthews added: “Chhokar was the victim of an ambush which cost him his life.
“You chose to involve yourself. The evidence showed that what happened was not on the spur of the moment.
“You inflicted three stab wounds on his body in the most despicable and cowardly manner.”
A report by Sir Anthony Campbell QC in 2001 said all three men should have been charged together and recommended a review of Crown Office procedures.
Another report in the same year by lawyer Dr Raj Jandoo found evidence of institutional racism in the police and prosecution service.
The double jeopardy law was reformed in 2011 after then justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said it would make Scots law “fit for the 21st century”.
The move was widely regarded as having been in part a reaction to the Chhokar case.
A C r own O f f i c e spokesperson said: “The sentencing of Ronnie Coulter for the murder of Surjit Singh Chhokar has finally delivered justice for the Chhokar family.
“The family have shown great courage and dignity throughout their long wait to see someone jailed for his killing.
“The family, along with their lawyer Aamer Anwar, campaigned tirelessly for improvements in the way allegations of racial crimes were dealt with and the justice system has transformed how it deals with racial crimes as a result of this case.”