James Sinclair was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of murdering Shadika Patel and attempting to kill a 48-year-old woman in two unprovoked attacks in March 2020. The 31-year-old stabbed Ms Patel seven times as she waited for a bus in East Ham, London, on her way to deliver food parcels to her teenage sons ahead of the COVID lockdown. The 40-year-old was stabbed in the face, head and shoulders during the 20-second attack and left on the pavement. A passerby heard her screaming and called the police. Ms Patel was taken to Newham General Hospital but later died from her injuries. The next day in Islington, Sinclair struck again, stabbing a woman in the face and body. The victim, whose name has not been released by police, suffered a punctured lung and required hospital treatment but managed to survive the ordeal. Sinclair was arrested a week later. He was found guilty of murder and attempted murder at the Old Bailey on Tuesday and appeared in court again on Friday to be sentenced. He was jailed for life with a minimum term of 41 years for murder, with a concurrent life sentence with a minimum term of 18 years for attempted murder, the Metropolitan Police said. Image: Shadika Patel was killed while waiting for a bus Tackling violence against women is an “absolute priority” for the Met Speaking after the sentencing hearing, lead investigator, Detective Inspector John Marriott, said: “James Sinclair’s actions destroyed the lives of Sadika’s friends and family and left her two teenage sons without a mother. “It is incomprehensible why he chose to attack two lone women at night. Incidents like this are rare and my team of detectives worked swiftly to track down Sinclair before he could attack anyone else.” Read more: Man accused of killing Zara Aleena ‘Violent’ man jailed for ‘disgusting campaign of abuse’ Women urged to ‘be vigilant’ as murder probe launched He added that tackling violence against women and girls was an “absolute priority” for the Met and these “heinous crimes have no place in our society”. “Women shouldn’t have to change their behavior and should be able to go about their business, feeling safe, at any time of the day or night. It’s our job to make sure that happens – but police officers can’t be in all places at all times,” he said. he said. “I would encourage our community, especially women, to report any suspicious or unwanted behavior and seek help if you feel threatened.”
