Senthooran Kanagasingham, 35, was today convicted at the Central Criminal Court of the manslaughter of 62-year old Sonia Burgess on the evening of Monday, 25 October 2010. At the time of the incident, the defendant was undergoing gender reassignment, living as a woman and was known as Nina Kanagasingham.
Sarah Counsell, CPS London reviewing lawyer, said:
“This was a tragic and very difficult case and the defendant has a very complicated psychiatric history. The issue for the jury was whether or not it substantially impaired his ability to form a rational judgement and if so whether it provided an explanation for the killing. The jury found that it did.
“People close to her speak of Sonia as a caring and generous person very concerned to help others. She was involved in the work of two churches in central London and was a loving father and a distinguished lawyer. This was a tragic end to a very accomplished life and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.”
The court was told that Sonia Burgess who was born David, was a highly distinguished solicitor practising in the field of immigration and human rights law, having been a partner in a successful practice in London. She would identify as gender variant and whilst still known as David professionally, outside of this she lived all other aspects of her life as Sonia, a decision that her family and friends were able to embrace.
Sonia lived with a lodger/family friend at a flat in Shaftesbury Avenue and maintained regular contact with her three children who lived abroad. Sonia came to know the defendant through the transgender community and offered him practical and emotional support. They had been in each other's company in the afternoon before Kanagasingham pushed Sonia in front of a train at King's Cross Underground station during rush hour on October 25.
Kanagasingham was given a life sentence and will serve a minimum of seven years.
Background Information
Sonia Burgess’ family requested that she was referred to as a woman throughout the trial.
For the purposes of this trial, Senthooran wished to be known by his birth name of Sen or Senthooran Kanagasingham, and in his male gender.
