A man has been jailed following the murder of his 19-year-old wife who was stabbed to death in Croydon.

Sahil Sharma, of Ash Tree Way, Croydon was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Friday (April 26) to life imprisonment with a minimum of 15 years for the murder of his wife, 19-year-old Mehak Sharma.

The 24-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to murder at a hearing on February 8.

Mehak’s body was found unresponsive by police on October 29 last year, after Mr Sharma had contacted police informing them that he had killed his wife at their home.

The 19-year-old had sustained “catastrophic” knife injuries to her neck and was pronounced dead by paramedics 20 minutes after they arrived.

A post-mortem examination later found that Mehak had died as a result of a stab wound to the neck.

Detective Inspector Laura Semple, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “This is a tragic case that has completely devastated a family. In killing his wife, Sharma has robbed her family of a loving daughter for reasons known only to himself.

“While I am aware that nothing can bring Mehak Sharma back to them, I hope that the sentencing will bring some closure to her loved ones.”

“Mehak was killed in her own home, a place where she should have felt the safest, and by the person that who should have loved and protected her.

“My thoughts remain with her family and loved ones.”

In a statement, Mehak’s mother said that she was “broken” and added that she felt that Mr Sharma had killed her alongside her daughter.

Your Local Guardian: 19-year-old Mehak Sharma was stabbed to death in Croydon last year.19-year-old Mehak Sharma was stabbed to death in Croydon last year. (Image: Metropolitan Police)

A victim impact statement read out to the court from Mehak’s mother said: “The one thing I want more than anything is to have my daughter back but this is not possible.

“No amount of prayers or money or support will bring her back to me. I am broken. Sahil hasn’t just murdered Mehak, I feel he has killed me as well.”