Man accused of 'brutal revenge' Airbnb murder

A man accused of murdering a woman in her London Airbnb flat allegedly sought "brutal and fatal revenge" after she discovered he had stolen £500 from her and called him a "liar", the Old Bailey heard. Deepak Sandhu, 24, is on trial accused of killing Xiaoqing Ke, 39, at her bedsit on Old Brompton Road on December 9 last year. Ms Ke was found the following day with catastrophic injuries, including a fatal neck wound.

Allegations of deception and revenge

Prosecutor Caroline Carberry KC told jurors that Sandhu, who had claimed to be a model and actor, bought knives in Asda and travelled to Earl’s Court from his home in Southampton. The court heard that Ms Ke, a Chinese national who arrived in the UK in March 2025, and Sandhu, an Indian national who entered the country in September 2024, met and communicated via a translation app. Ms Ke was working at a brothel in Southampton and Sandhu was a customer. They remained in contact after she moved to London.

Ms Carberry outlined that Ms Ke discovered Sandhu had stolen £500 from her handbag and had been the subject of numerous lies. Sandhu allegedly claimed to be living with his sister in India, portrayed himself as a model and actor, fabricated a trip to the United States for an audition, and claimed he was attending a graduation ceremony at Southampton Solent University, from which he had been removed due to poor attendance. He also allegedly claimed he was robbed of £3,500 in the US and had a bank job paying £6,000 a month.

By the time of her murder, Ms Ke was aware of his "true character", the court was told. She called him out as a "liar" and demanded her money back, stating: "Don’t come see me. I’m clear, I’m not a fool." Sandhu allegedly reacted by telling her former brothel boss that she "will regret what she has done". In WhatsApp messages, Sandhu expressed his anger and determination for revenge, asking an associate: "Do you think I have to take my revenge on her?" He also described Ms Ke as "selfish" and predicted he "will become an evil person."

Travel to London and alleged actions

The court heard that Sandhu "pestered" Ms Ke and promised to return her money before travelling from Southampton on December 9, armed with a knife. Doorbell camera footage from Ms Ke’s bedsit reportedly captured him arriving with his face covered and wearing a baseball cap, and leaving after approximately 90 minutes. Ms Carberry stated: "Almost immediately upon leaving his thoughts turned to avoiding detection and to fleeing the country."

Sandhu allegedly telephoned his sister in India, falsely claiming another man had killed Ms Ke while he was present. The following day, he booked a flight from Birmingham to Mumbai and changed his phone. "There was no other man. The defendant is the only lone man seen entering and leaving the building on 9 December," Ms Carberry told the jury.

Sandhu was arrested on December 12 last year as he travelled on a National Express coach from Southampton to Birmingham Airport. He denies murder and perverting the course of justice. The trial continues at the Old Bailey.