Man denies murder of woman in Earl's Court Airbnb

A 24-year-old man is on trial at the Old Bailey accused of murdering a woman in an Earl's Court Airbnb. Deepak Sandhu is alleged to have travelled from Southampton to kill Xiaoqing Ke, 39, on December 10 last year. Ms Ke was discovered dead in a bedsit on Old Brompton Road.

Allegations of revenge attack

Prosecutor Caroline Carberry KC told the court that Sandhu had become an “obsessed, manipulative young man” who could not accept Ms Ke's rejection of him. The court heard that Ms Ke had discovered Sandhu had stolen £500 from her and had called him out as a liar. Ms Carberry stated that in the days before her death, Sandhu expressed anger and a determination to take revenge on Ms Ke. He allegedly bought knives in Asda before travelling to London.

Ms Ke, a Chinese national, had arrived in the UK on a visitor's visa in March 2025. Sandhu, an Indian national, entered the country on a student visa in September 2024, which was revoked six months later. The pair 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.

The jury was told that Sandhu had lied to Ms Ke about his life, claiming to be a model and actor and fabricating stories about his academic and financial status. Ms Carberry outlined that by the time of her murder, Ms Ke was aware of his dishonesty. She reportedly told him: “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 messages on WhatsApp, Sandhu allegedly vented 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”. He is also accused of pleading with Ms Ke for another chance and offering to help her obtain British citizenship.

Attempt to flee and arrest

Doorbell camera footage reportedly captured Sandhu arriving at Ms Ke’s bedsit with his face covered and wearing a baseball cap, and leaving approximately 90 minutes later. Ms Carberry stated that almost immediately after leaving, Sandhu’s thoughts turned to avoiding detection and fleeing the country. He allegedly telephoned his sister in India, falsely claiming another man had killed Ms Ke. The following day, he booked a flight from Birmingham to Mumbai and changed his phone.

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 at the Old Bailey continues.