A vegetarian couple are accused of starving their three-year-old daughter to death on a diet of butter, lentils and yoghurt.

Manpreet Jatana, 34, and Jaskiret Singh Uppal, 36, appeared at the Old Bailey on Monday accused of killing their daughter Penelope Chandle. 

Prosecutor Phillip McGhee told the court that the couple – both of Indian heritage and vegetarian – deliberately starved the child resulting in her death.

Penelope’s body was found at her home in Hayes, west London, on December 17, 2023, after her mother called a funeral director reporting that she had died.   

Experts gave her cause of death as severe malnutrition and ketoacidosis. 

Jatana and Singh Uppal appeared via video link today from HMP Belmarsh and HMP Bronzefield both wearing large blue turbans.  

The two parents earlier denied murder and alternative offences of manslaughter by gross negligence and causing or allowing the death of a child. They also denied child cruelty. 

An eight-week trial before a High Court judge is due to begin on 11 January 2027.

Manpreet Jatana, 34, and Jaskiret Singh Uppal, 36, appeared at the Old Bailey on Monday accused of killing their daughter Penelope Chandle

The Recorder of London, Judge Mark Lucraft remanded them both in custody ahead of a further case management hearing on 17 July.

Prosecutor McGhee said: ‘These two defendants are the parents of the deceased child who was born in 2019.

‘Neither of the defendants at the time of death were working nor have they worked for some time.

‘They were essentially isolated from not only from their wider family but the wider and outside world.

‘The family’s diet consisted predominately of butter, lentils and yogurt.’