A couple hailing from Hayes, located in west London, has denied accusations of intentionally starving their three-year-old daughter to death over a span of several months.

Jaskiret Singh Uppal, 36, and Manpreet Jatana, 34, participated in a court session via video link from HMP Pentonville and Bronzefield, respectively, during which they pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering Penelope Chandle.

The court previously heard that police discovered the girl’s body on December 17, 2023, wrapped in a sheet, and a post-mortem examination determined that her death was due to malnutrition.

In addition to murder, the couple also refuted charges of manslaughter, failing to protect a child resulting in death, and child cruelty. A trial has been scheduled for January 11, 2027.

During prior proceedings, it was revealed that there were marks on the neck that were “consistent with the use of bindings,” along with hand injuries that suggested a sharp object like a knife was involved.

Prosecutor Philip McGhee stated that the Crown’s argument posits that the couple mistreated their daughter over a prolonged period and “deliberately starved” her, ultimately resulting in her death.

The court was informed that the couple did not register Penelope’s birth, nor did they seek medical care or education for her, effectively isolating themselves from the community.

It is alleged that following the child’s passing, they initially considered cremating her body in the backyard of their Hayes home before eventually reaching out to a funeral director.

At the time of Penelope’s death, officers reportedly found that the family’s vegetarian diet predominantly consisted of yogurt, lentils, and butter, according to the prosecution.

The defendants, who met during their university years, had been unemployed for a significant period and resided in a house owned by Uppal’s father.