Husband, 55, who beat his wife to death with a hockey stick then cut off her head before throwing himself off cliff in failed suicide attempt during Covid lockdown is jailed
- Manisha Solanki, 49, was killed by her husband in the couple’s home in Leicester
- Kaushik Kumar Solanki pleaded guilty to manslaughter and blamed lockdowns
- After the attack Solanki jumped off of a cliff in Norfolk, onto the rocks below
- He sustained a brain injury broken bones and was found with his face ‘smashed’
- For support call the Samaritans on 116 123 or go to www.samaritans.org
A husband who mercilessly beat his wife to death with a hockey stick and then cut off her head during lockdown has been jailed.
Kaushik Kumar Solanki, 55, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility after killing his wife, Manisha, 49, at their home in Humberstone, Leicester, in April last year.
After the attack Solanki jumped off of a cliff in Hunstanton, Norfolk, onto the rocks below, where he sustained a serious brain injury, broken arms and legs, and was found by emergency services with his face ‘smashed’.
He blamed the Covid-19 lockdowns on his deteriorating marriage to Manisha, as the couple were in the process of divorcing and the pandemic restrictions ‘worsened his mental health’.
LeicestershireLive reported that police quickly linked Mrs Solanki’s death to the discovery of critically injured Mr Solanki on the Norfolk coast. Pictured: Police at Hunstanton after Solanki jumped off the cliff
After the attack Solanki jumped off of a cliff in Hunstanton, Norfolk, onto the rocks below. Pictured: Hunstanton Beach
Manisha’s body was found in the utility room within two hours of Solanki jumping off the cliff.
The court heard that she had sustained a severe fracture to the right side of her skull and breaks on bother of her hands and forearms as she tried to defend herself.
LeicestershireLive reported that police quickly linked Manisha’s death to the discovery of critically injured Solanki on the Norfolk coast.
Gordon Aspen QC, prosecuting, said their marriage had begun to deteriorate in 2016 and by the time of the killing a ‘truly toxic and acrimonious situation existed between them’.
Before the attack Leicestershire Police had visited the couple’s home on various occasions due to reports of violence and had even advised the couple to separate.
Judge Timothy Spencer QC heard a list of 16 reasons why the couples marriage was so troubled, including their sons moving to university and the lockdowns beginning.
Before the attack Leicestershire Police had visited the couple’s home on various occasions due to reports of violence and had even advised the couple to separate. Pictured: Police at Hunstanton Beach after Solanki jumped off the cliff
Kaushik’s defence included showing a video to the court of his wife attacking and swearing at him, but the judge said his own behaviour in the footage would have been affected knowing it was going to be shown to the police.
Manisha worked with children with special education needs at Leicester College, and Solanki worked as a driver for disabled people at Leicester City Council.
After the guilty plea, Detective Inspector Jenni Heggs from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) major crime team, said: ‘First and foremost, my thoughts are with friends and family of the Solankis at this very difficult time.
‘During our investigation, it was determined that Kaushik Solanki was suffering from an abnormality of mental functioning which led to him taking his wife’s life.
‘While I appreciate today’s outcome will not bring Manisha back, I hope it will provide a degree of closure and allow them to move on with their lives.’
For support call the Samaritans on 116 123 or go to www.samaritans.org
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