Allan Isichei's Killer To Be Detained Indefinitely

Schizophrenic Gurjeet Lall had not been taking medication

Gurjeet Lall
Gurjeet Lall

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Allan Isichei's Killer Convicted of Manslaughter

Shock After Murder of Southall Grandfather Allan Isichei

Footage Released of High Speed Chase in South Ealing

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The man who killed Allan Isichei is to be detained indefinitely following a sentencing hearing that took place this Monday (14 December).

The court was told how 36-year-old Gurjeet Lall , of Vine Cottages, Southall was a diagnosed schizophrenic who had previously committed a series of knife crime offence. On the day he stabbed Mr Isichei he was believed to be in a state of acute psychosis having failed to take his medication for over a year.

Mr Isichei arrived at The Plough pub in Tentelow Lane just before 6pm on Saturday, 24 August 2019, where he enjoyed a single beer in the garden. He was a regular customer of the pub, which is just a short walk from his home. The 69-year-old grandfather who had played for Wasps rugby club during the amateur era and was still a prominent member of the club had taken issue with Lall for spitting in the street as he returned home. Lall repeatedly stabbed him in the stomach with a kitchen knife. Although Mr Isichei managed to disarm him and walked away, he soon realised he had been badly injured and staggered to a neighbour’s house to ask for assistance. An ambulance was called and paramedics stopped on the way to hospital in a vain attempt to save Mr Isichei’s life.

Lall was traced to his home by a trial of blood from an injury he had sustained during the struggle and arrested for GBH, the arresting officers being unaware that Mr Isichei had died at that point. Following a review of Lall’s mental health, he was deemed fit to stand trial.

Lall had been convicted of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility this October despite his claim that he had acted in self-defence.


Allan Isichei

Mr Isichei, apparently not realising how badly he was injured, got up and walked down the street before stopping. He then staggered to a neighbour’s address and rang the doorbell, pleading for help.

Police and paramedics were called immediately and arrived minutes later. He was treated at the scene before being placed into an ambulance that was forced to stop shortly after it left the scene of the incident as his condition deteriorated.

Paramedics battled to save his life, but despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at 7.56pm.

Police traced Lall to his home address after following a blood trail from injuries he sustained in the incident. He was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder before it was known that his victim had died. He was then arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into custody.

A post-mortem examination found Mr Isichei had suffered multiple knife injuries. A cause of death was given as an incised wound to the abdomen.

Lall was released from hospital on 29 August into police custody. During interview he claimed in a prepared statement that he had been acting in self-defence. He was later charged with murder.

Following a review of Lall’s mental health, he was deemed fit to stand trial.

Mr Isichei has been described as a larger than life character who was well-loved by his family, including several grandchildren, and was well-known and respected in his local community having lived in Southall for many years.

He had worked as a builder and later as a director in a building firm, and was an influential member of the Wasps rugby team for many years, as a player in the 70s and 80s and then later on as a coach. He was also an experienced saxophonist who was part of a jazz group that played in many venues across London.

Allan Isichei at the Hanwell Hootie
Allan Isichei at the Hanwell Hootie

In a statement, Allan’s family said, “We have suffered from the tragic loss of our father, who was kind, generous and inspirational man to many. To see him described by his assailant as an aggressor just isn’t who he was. He spent his time putting others before himself and the graphic camera footage shown in court clearly shows he was the victim of someone who chose to carry a knife.

“Why was a person with a history of carrying knives, who was only arrested while carrying one in January 2019, allowed to be back out on the streets unsupervised to carry out this senseless killing.

“As always the voice of the victim is not heard, we can no longer ask him as he has been cruelly taken away from us. A pain we feel every day.

Detective Inspector Jamie Stevenson of the Met’s Specialist Crime, said, “It beggars belief that a man could go to his local pub for a quick drink on a Saturday evening and not return home, but that is the terrible reality that Allan’s family have been left with.

“Allan was a creative and constructive man, living a full and active life through his sport and music. His loss is immeasurable, and is of course most felt by his loving family, who still grieve for him and will do so for a very long time to come.

“There was no good reason for Lall to have had a knife in his possession that day, and no good reason for him to use it. I am glad that he has been convicted and the jury rejected his claim that he was acting in self-defence.”

Sentencing will be held at the same court on Monday, 14 December.

December 14, 2020

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