Trans woman ‘pushed to death’ by friend
A respected human rights lawyer and transgender woman was pushed to her death in front of a train by a friend she had been helping, a court heard today.
Sonia Burgess, 63, who was known professionally as David, died at Kings Cross station last October when she was hit by an incoming underground train.
Senthooran Kanagasingham, 35, of Cricklewood, denies murder but admits manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
According to the Evening Standard, Mr Kanagasingham, who has used the name Nina in the past and at the time of Ms Burgess’ death, now wishes to be regarded as male.
The Old Bailey heard today that Mr Kanagasingham, a Sri Lankan national, had been suffering mental health problems including depression and schizophrenia.
On the day of her death, Ms Burgess had accompanied Mr Kanagasingham to a GP appointment, where she had raised concerns about his mental health.
The court heard that Ms Burgess, who allowed the defendant to visit her flat to shower and discuss personal problems, feared that Mr Kanagasingham was becoming psychotic.
His lawyers say he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia at the time.
But Brian Altman QC, prosecuting, told the court that Mr Kanagasingham’s actions were “entirely deliberate and executed with the intention of killing Sonia Burgess”.
He added: “After all, it could hardly have been done with any lesser intention than to send her to her death.”
The trial continues.
