The family of a man who tragically lost his life after an assault in Nottingham city said have said that their ‘pain and loss will be eternal’.
Arjun Singh, a 20-year-old student at Nottingham Trent University, died after being punched while on a night out with friends in the early hours of Saturday 18 January 2020.
The man who assaulted him, Mathiwos Tekle, 21, of Ryeland Gardens, Nottingham, was jailed for seven years at Nottingham Crown Court today (Friday 17 July).
Tekle had pleaded guilty to manslaughter and offering to supply a controlled drug on 19 February 2020.
In a statement read in court today, a member of Arjun’s family shared that they could not express in words the pain that their family and themselves are feeling now that Arjun is no longer with them.
They said: “On that horrific night the Police knocked on the door to our family home in the early hours and explained to us that Arjun had sustained horrific injuries and we needed to go to the hospital immediately.
“When we arrived at the hospital we were taken into a side room where a consultant explained that Arjun was brain deceased and had zero chance of recovery. We saw Arjun in a hospital bed.
“We felt helpless, we couldn’t speak to him, Arjun couldn’t speak to us, there were no last words from him, no smile, no laughter and no opportunity for us to tell him that we loved him.
“Arjun was the most beautiful boy with the most beautiful soul. He was kind, funny and loved everyone wholeheartedly. He was a younger brother to a big sister and a big brother to two younger brothers.
“He was best friend to so many. Arjun was excited about finishing university, starting a new job, getting his first car, buying his first house, getting married and having children.
“Arjun would have had so many firsts to come; now we as a family have so many firsts to see without him, Mothers and Fathers days, birthdays and Christmases.”
Detective Inspector Richard Monk, who led the investigation into Arjun’s death, said: “This was a tragic loss of life and is an example of the devastating impact one punch can have.
“Arjun had his whole life ahead of him and for it to be cut short in this way is truly awful.
“While Tekle was quick to hand himself in to the authorities, a lot of investigative work went in to establishing what happened to Arjun that evening and I welcome today’s sentence.”
Nottingham Trent University’s Chief Operating Officer and Registrar, Steve Denton, said: “Arjun was a very popular student and the NTU community was incredibly saddened by his death. We again extend our thoughts to his family and friends at what must be an extremely difficult time.
“We would also like to encourage any student who may be affected by this latest news to contact student services so that we can provide any support if needed.”
Arjun’s family have asked for privacy during this difficult time.
