'Firing blanks' slur led to father-in-law being stabbed in the neck as he slept

Naunihal Singh stabbed his fellow father-in-law in the neck. Credit: Greater Manchester Police.

A man who killed his fellow father-in-law after a drunken slur over his son's ability to conceive has been jailed for 17 years.

Naunihal Singh attacked Ujjal Singh after a family party in Crumpsall, Manchester, when Ujjal accused Naunihal's son of "firing blanks".

Naunihal was visiting his son and daughter-in-law from India, and Ujjal, had travelled from Ipswich to visit his daughter and son-in-law.

During the alcohol-fuelled argument last November, Naunihal's son punched a glass photo frame, causing an injury to his hand.

Ujjal Singh was put to bed while the remaining family members, with the exception of Naunihal Singh, went to hospital to get his son's hand treated.

He crept into Ujjal's bedroom as he was sleeping and stabbed him in the neck.

He then fled, leaving the family to discover the horrific scene, before handing himself into police two days later.

Naunihal Singh pleaded guilty to murder at Manchester Crown Court today and was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 17 years and 39 days.