A priest who was injured in an attack where a member of his temple was stabbed to death has told how he is recovering from the ordeal.

Gurmit Singh, 39, was in the Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara in Malvern Street, off Leeds Road, Bradford, last September when the attack happened.

He had rushed to help Butta Singh when he heard him scream after Balbeer Singh stabbed him in a frenzied attack.

The priest survived with a chest wound but Butta Singh, 40, died a week later from his injuries.

Speaking through an interpreter, the priest told the Telegraph & Argus: "The first few months after the attack I was very upset indeed. Now, since a few more months have gone by, I'm starting to recover and get on with normal life.

"I have recovered fully from my injuries, both physically and mentally, and I have continued to work in the temple as normal."

Balbeer Singh, 35, pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court on Friday to the manslaughter of Butta Singh on the grounds of diminished responsibility and the unlawful wounding of Gurmit Singh. Judge Brian Walsh QC said he would be detained indefinitely in a medium security hospital.

The court heard that Balbeer Singh, a father-of-two, was married in May 1990 but thereafter was treated for severe bouts of clinical depression. These bouts were caused, among other things, by his arranged marriage, his own view that he was a 'bad' Asian and his contempt for the Sikh culture.

Detective Superintendent Stuart Hyde, who led the inquiry, said the quick thinking actions of two officers, PC Nick Rookes and Special Constable Malcolm Roling, ensured Balbeer Singh was arrested within minutes of the attack.

Supt Hyde said: "The ensuing inquiry was carried out in a thorough and sensitive manner, which is reflection of the professionalism of the 20 officers involved.

"This demonstrated the value of the close working relation we have here in Bradford with minority groups.

"Butta Singh was an innocent man, sat minding his own business when he was leapt upon by a knife-wielding man."

Nirmal Singh, chairman of the Yorkshire Sikh Forum, said: "The community has been shocked by this tragedy - and that shock will always be there.

"This is the first time in Britain that such an incident has happened inside a temple."

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