Belvedere and Greenhithe residents on trial today for murder of Prabjot Singh Rayat in Thamesmead (From News Shopper)

Belvedere and Greenhithe residents on trial today for murder of Prabjot Singh Rayat in Thamesmead

10:24am Thursday 21st February 2013 in Bexley By Alan Woods

THREE people will go on trial today accused of murdering 54-year-old Prabjot Singh Rayat in Thamesmead.

Belvedere residents Robert Burrows, 34, and Surinder Chana, 44, who live together in Lower Park Road, are charged with murder and conspiracy to rob.

They will be joined in the dock in courtroom six at Wood Green Crown Court by Clifford Collins, 40, of Mounts Road in Greenhithe, who faces the same charges.

All three defendants deny both charges.

The jury were sworn in yesterday and the prosecution’s opening will be delivered at 10:15am this morning.

The body Mr Rayat, who had three children, was found at his Rayat Autos business on an industrial estate in Nathan Way, Thamesmead, early on June 8 last year.

A post mortem investigation revealed the Pickford Lane resident died of a stab wound.

The trial is expected to last between three and four weeks.

News Shopper reporter Patrick Grafton-Green is in court - check the website later for all the details.