A man has been charged with murder after a restaurant owner was stabbed to death in Lloyds Bank.
Gurvinder Johal, 37, was stabbed in broad daylight on St Peter’s Street, Derby, after 2.30pm on Tuesday, May 6.
Haybe Nur Cabdiraxmaan, 47, from Mickleover in Derby has been charged with his murder.
He will appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, May 8.
Samanatha Shallow, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor in the East Midlands, said: ‘Following a review of the evidence provided by Derbyshire Constabulary, we have authorised criminal charges in relation to the death of 37-year-old Gurvinder Johal.
‘Mr Johal died after a stabbing inside Lloyd’s bank in St Peter’s Street, Derby, after 2.30pm on Tuesday, 6 May.
‘Haybe Nur Cabdiraxmaan, 47, from Mickleover in Derby has been charged with his murder.
‘He will appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 8 May.
The Lloyds Bank customer stabbed to death in a city centre branch has been named locally as restaurant owner Gurvinder Singh Johal.
The young man in his 30s was fatally stabbed at Lloyds Bank on St Peters Street on Tuesday afternoon
‘Our thoughts remain with the family of Mr Johal at this time.
‘The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
‘It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’
Mr Johal, known to friends as Danny, owned and ran the Hen and Chickens Bar and Grill restaurant in Shelton Lock.
Police were called to Lloyd’s Bank in St Peter’s Street, Derby, at around 2.30pm on Tuesday afternoon and despite an air ambulance attending, the victim, in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
His death has been called ‘senseless’ by close friend Councillor Ajit Atwal, leader of the Lib Dem group on Derby City Council, who knew him personally. He told DerbyshireLive the restaurateur was ‘the most hard-working and devoted family man’.
He added: ‘It’s a sad day for Derby. It makes no sense what has happened. Something must have gone terribly wrong for him to be killed in this way.
‘He was a good businessman and nothing was ever too much trouble for him. He was humble, quiet and a kind guy and would always go above and beyond for everyone.
Officers were investigating outside the bank on Wednesday morning, where a cordon remained in place
‘His family are devastated and cannot understand what has happened. He was just getting on with his life – it’s just senseless.’
A friend said the victim had gone to the Lloyds branch to bank his restaurant’s weekend takings – having been unable to visit on the Monday because of the bank holiday.
He said Mr Johal was a ‘lovely guy’ who known as Smiler because he was ‘always so happy’ and had three children aged between one and seven.
It is understood the victim had just returned from a family holiday in India.
Superintendent Becky Webster, of Derbyshire Police, previously said: ‘This is an absolutely devastating incident in the heart of our city.
‘For the family of the victim, we know life will never be the same again, and our thoughts are with them as they begin to deal with their tragic loss.
‘Those who witnessed the incident and offered first aid tried to help at the scene will also be understandably devastated by what happened, and there will of course be the impact on the wider community from such a shocking event.
A 47-year-old man has been charged with murder following an investigation
‘Officers have worked through the night on this investigation and two men were arrested yesterday and they remain in police custody.
‘I know people will be concerned by what happened in St Peter’s Street yesterday, and we understand those concerns. What we can say at this time is all the information we have suggests this was an isolated incident. No-one else was physically hurt, and we are not looking for anyone else in relation to it.
‘We know the St Peter’s Cross area of the city has been a concern for residents, businesses and visitors, and there has been significant work with partners over the last 12 months around that area, as well as the wider city centre.
‘Again, at this stage it does not appear that the incident is linked to any of the individuals involved in the type of anti-social behaviour that have been seen in the St Peter’s Cross area.
‘I would like to thank the community and ask them to come together and support each other at what will be difficult days ahead.’
