A MAN who evaded capture for 17-years following a murder in Hayes in 1996 was today sentenced to life in prison.

Kiranjit Uppal, 37, of no fixed abdode was found guilty at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday of the murder of Harminder Singh Jhaghra. Today, he was ordered to serve a minimum of 16-years.

He was also found guilty of grievous bodily harm in connection with an incident which occurred on the same day, prior to the murder. For this offence, he was sentenced to five-years, to run concurrently.

Uppal fled the UK in the days following Harminder's murder but was arrested in September as he left a flight from India at Heathrow.

Det Chief Insp Charles King said: “For almost 18 years Uppal, thought he had got away with murdering Harminder Singh Jhaghra and had been living a relatively comfortable life in India.

"Today's sentence should send a strong message that that, even with the passage of time, we will do all that we can to find those who insist on evading justice and put them before the courts.

"The events of that fateful day have left a profound effect on Harminder's family. They have had to wait 18 long years to witness this day and I would like to thank them for supporting us with this latest trial."

The court heard how a series of events in February 1996 led to a clash between two rival groups from Cranford and Southall, which resulted in Harminder's death in Watersplash Lane, off North Hyde Road, Hayes.