Chatham woman Mundill Mahil was 'honeytrap' in scheme that lead to Gagandip Singh's murder 10 years ago
06:00, 16 February 2021
updated: 16:43, 16 February 2021
Ten years ago Mundill Mahil dubbed the "honeytrap girl" at the heart of a twisted love triangle hit the headlines after being charged with murder.
The life of the promising straight "A" Rochester Grammar School pupil who aspired to be a doctor fell apart after luring a man to her student digs where two "hitmen" met up with him before he met his brutal fate.
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Gagandip Singh, who had sexually assaulted her six months earlier, was beaten in her bedroom before being burned to death in the boot of a car.
Mundill, who grew up in Chatham, was acquitted of murder but found guilty by a jury at the Old Bailey of grievous bodily harm with intent and sentenced to six years in prison.
The 29-year-old is still haunted by the harrowing memories of her involvement in events which led to the death of Singh, a 21-year-old television executive.
But now happily married and playing an active role in a women's charity supporting fellow criminals, Mundill is starting to rebuild her life - despite both herself and her close-knit Medway family still receiving death threats a decade later.
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She said: "I have been in shock and trauma for many years. I think about what happened every day. It was a tragedy and at the end of the day a man lost his life and nobody deserves that."
She has thrown herself into working as a strategist and researcher for Working Chance, a charity which helps former female prisoners find a job.
Her involvement came about after being rejected for numerous work opportunities and university courses - her childhood dreams of joining the medical profession in shatters because of her record.
It's the first time Mundill has found the courage to tell her story in a bid to raise awareness of a situation which she said "could happen to anyone".
The strict Sikh student, who worshipped at the Gurdwara temple in Rochester, once cared for autistic children and had never been in trouble with the law before. She believes she was in the "wrong place at the wrong time".
She said: "I was naive, was not assertive and had a sheltered upbringing. I didn't see anything wrong in the world."
She said her family, who ran a bed and breakfast in Maidstone Road, Chatham, had been "100% supportive" towards her.
On reflection she admits she invited Singh to her lodgings in Brighton, where she was studying medicine at the university, under false pretences. She confessed to not telling police the full story in which she witnessed him being punched by one of two men who had brought him there from the station.
After opening her heart about the series of events which unfurled on the night in February 2011, many women had come forward relating their own experiences.
She said: "I was on a rollercoaster of ups and downs, the assault, the murder charge and the court appearance."
She believes: "For many women, prison is not the answer. They have different needs to men, like the care of children. And for some they have got into a situation through no fault of their own, like being victims of domestic abuse. They serve their time and sentence and come out of prison worse off."
Figures show that 96% had not found a job six weeks after release and 50% were not considered for employment.
Mundill describes these as "shocking " statistics recalling how she was turned down for a place at York University for a course in politics, philosophy and economics after ticking "yes" to the criminal record box, despite passing her academic and mental health assessment.
After being released on licence in 2014 and unable to get a job, she became a volunteer for Unlock, a Maidstone-based organisation after eventually completing a qualification at King's College Unversity, London.
"It was a tragedy and at the end of the day a man lost his life and nobody deserves that..."
She said: "It gave me the confidence I needed. At the time I was too scared to walk to the shops in case somebody recognised me. I've had death threats and been chased by a car."
In 2016 she married Varinder Singh, a rising Labour Party star at a lavish ceremony at the Gurdwara in Lankester Parker Road, followed by a reception at Cobham Hall, Higham.
Mundill is still reluctant to talk about details of her new life for fear of reprisals. She maintains her close links with Medway and has kept in touch with old school friends, some of whom gave character references in court.
Natasha Finlayson chief executive of Working Chance said: "We support women who have criminal convictions to turn their lives around and make a fresh start. We help them to find the self-belief and optimism that so many lack, because life has knocked it out of them.
"Many of our staff, like Mundill, have convictions themselves, which helps us to understand the trauma that has often led them to become involved with the criminal system. We see the woman, not the offence, and we offer opportunities to reset their life and find new purpose.
"Mundill is one of our staff who has experienced this first-hand. Mundill is a huge asset - she is dedicated to using her talents, knowledge and experience to help others refocus their lives and become productive members of society."
Julie Hamsworth, director at Unlock, said: "We are delighted to have Mundill on our board of trustees. Her lived experience and insight into the experiences of women within the justice system brings an important perspective to the work we do.
"Our focus is on providing a voice and support for people who are facing stigma and obstacles because of their criminal record, often long after they have served their sentence. We are dedicated to helping and supporting people with criminal records to rebuild their lives, as Mundill has done."
Harvinder Shokar, then 20, of Charlton Park Lane, Greenwich. was jailed for life with a minimum 22-year term after being found guilty of murder.
Darren Peters, also then 20, of Shooters Hill Road, Blackheath, was sentenced to 12 years after being guilty of manslaughter.
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