Prabjeet Veadhesa

2 offences

What the court heard

He was found guilty of murder in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, on 29 June 2022. Sentencing Remarks of Mr Justice Choudhury 1. Prabjeet Veadhesa, Sukhman Shergill: You have both been found guilty of the murder of Ronan Kanda. You have both also pleaded guilty to the offence of possessing a bladed article, namely a knife, in a public place. I must now sentence you for those offences. You may remain seated until I tell you to stand up. 2. At just after half past 8 in the evening on 29 June last year, Ronan Kanda was fatally stabbed and killed as he was innocently walking along his own street back to his home. He was just yards from his front door when he was stabbed and left to die in the middle of the road. Ronan was only 16 years old. The devastation caused by that cowardly act of running up behind Ronan and stabbing him, not once, but twice, is hard to comprehend and for his family almost too great to bear. Ronan was much loved by all those who were fortunate enough to have had him in their lives. He was a joyful young lad always intent on making those around him happy. He was described by his friends as "always the one with the biggest smile". He was fun, playful, good at school and had no enemies. We have heard this morning the powerful and moving victim personal statements from his father, mother and sister. We have also had read to us the VPS of Ronan's uncle and grandmother. Their loss is incalculable. They describe Ronan as the soul of the family, whose loss has broken them all. Chander Kanda, Ronan's dad, says that Ronan was his best friend, a Liverpool fan who liked going to the gym and playing pool. He describes his pride in watching Ronan grow into a kind and compassionate boy who always gave money to the homeless and would encourage people around him to do more for charity. He misses his son constantly. 3. Pooja Kanda, Ronan's mum, eloquently expresses the psychological torture she suffers every day at losing her kind and caring son for absolutely no reason at all, and the utter despair she feels upon realising that he can no longer be part of her life. Nikita Kanda, Ronan's older sister, speaks lovingly of him as the glue that held the family together and how he deserved so much more from life. It is no surprise that the depth of their loss has taken its toll on their mental health with some of Ronan's relatives being treated for depression and PTSD. Nothing I can do or say today can relieve the pain of that loss. No term of years will seem…

Around this case

• Wolverhampton Crown Court
• Prosecuted by CPS West Midlands
• Investigated by West Midlands Police