Transsexual 'pushed cross-dressing lawyer under Tube train'

DAVID BURGESS: The human rights lawyer had been that day to the doctor with the accused (PA)

A man whose life was imploding while undergoing sex-change therapy killed a successful cross-dressing human rights solicitor by shoving him in front of a Tube train after a spat over his mental health, a court heard yesterday.

Senthooran Kanagasingham, 35, fell out with David Burgess – who dressed as a woman and preferred to be known as Sonia in his private life – and pushed him on to the track in an attack born of "anger and malice", said Brian Altman QC, prosecuting.

The court heard that Kanagasingham, of Cricklewood, London, had decided to kill his friend after being angered when Mr Burgess, 62, expressed concerns about his mental health during a trip together to the doctor. In a series of conversations and emails to his family, Mr Burgess had earlier said he was worried that Kanagasingham – who then called himself Nina – was psychotic and "imploding" before the trip to the surgery.

The shaven-headed Kanagasingham, yesterday admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, claiming he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. The prosecution at the Old Bailey refused to accept the plea and he is standing trial for murder.

Kanagasingham was a frequent visitor to the Soho flat of Mr Burgess, who was described in court as being "caring and generous" and willing to help others. The pair travelled together after the appointment to King's Cross station, where Kanagasingham pushed Mr Burgess in front of the train.

Kanagasingham then put up no resistance. When a commuter grabbed him, he said, "I'm guilty, I surrender," the court was told. A note found in his rucksack claimed he was broke and depressed. It added that he had been "stalked for 12 years by a brutal few who are now using the system against me".

The trial continues.