Lokendra Singh cut wife’s throat after financial tensions, Launceston Supreme Court told

AN Indian national cut his wife’s throat after tension mounted about the couple’s financial situation, a Supreme Court jury in Launceston has heard.

Man cut wife’s throat, court told

AN Indian national cut his wife’s throat after tension mounted about the couple’s financial situation, a Supreme Court jury in Launceston has heard.

Lokendra Singh has pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Renu Singh on February 11, 2014.

Crown prosecutor Jackie Hartnett said Mr Singh had also attempted to strangle and attempted to suffocate his wife in the incident.

She said he had intended to kill his 30-year-old wife — a doctor at the Launceston General Hospital.

The jury heard that the pair met via a matrimonial website and first met in person on the day they married in 2011.

Mr Singh allegedly returned to Canberra within days of the marriage, leaving Ms Singh in India.

Ms Hartnett said Mr Singh had wanted assets that were beyond their means. A number of loans were put in Ms Singh’s name and he had also wanted a house in India.

She said a previous incident of attempted strangling occurred in Hobart in July 2013.

Mr Singh had returned to India but came back to Launceston four days before the alleged attempted murder.

“I think you are going to die,” he allegedly said to her.

When Dr Singh fell asleep, Mr Singh allegedly used a serrated kitchen knife to cut her throat.

Ms Hartnett said Mr Singh had tried a ruse when he rang 000.

But Ms Hartnett said when Dr Singh got hold of the phone she said: “He tried to kill me, please save me — my throat is cut.”

The jury heard there will be 16 witnesses, with the trial expected to last seven days.