Town remembers India Chipchase a decade after her murder

Ten years ago, student India Chipchase left a Northampton nightclub, distressed and separated from her friends.

She accepted an offer of help from a stranger, Edward Tenniswood, to get her home.

But the next day, 31 January 2016, she was found dead at his house in Northampton.

Tenniswood was later convicted of her rape and murder and jailed for life, to serve a minimum term of 30 years.

Following India's death, her mother Sue founded Northampton Guardians.

Since 2021, the charity has helped thousands of vulnerable young women and men on Friday and Saturday nights out in the town.

The charity is marking the anniversary of India's death by "turning Northampton purple" and holding a remembrance service.

"It is about remembering India, but it's also about celebrating the legacy that she has, and the family have, with the work that we do," said Gill Goodship, trustee.

On Friday 29 January 2016, India had been on a night out with friends in Northampton and was seen drinking and laughing, as well as getting angry about the state of an on-off relationship.

She eventually left NB's nightclub in the early hours of Saturday morning, telling door staff she wanted "to go home".

However, that never happened. India refused to get into the taxi that was called for her as she had to pay up front.

Instead, she got in a taxi with Tenniswood, who told her he would look after her and get her home safely.

But he took her back to his home in Stanley Road, Northampton, where he murdered and raped her.

Her body was found by police on 31 January.

During his trial at Birmingham Crown Court in 2016, Tenniswood said he inadvertently throttled her through "inexperience and incompetence".

He then sat and drank in a hotel bar for 22 hours until police arrested him after tracking India's phone to his house.

It took jurors two hours to find him guilty.

During the trial Tenniswood, then 52, was described as an "oddball" and "meticulous" loner.

When covering the trial, BBC reporter Sally Chidzoy said he gave his evidence to the jury "as if he were on stage".

She wrote that he appeared to enjoy the audience - so much so that a police officer commented that he "was getting off on it all".

Tenniswood was obsessed with cleanliness.

His home was covered in plastic sheets and food bowls were covered with plates.

There was newspaper on the floor and his computer was covered in plastic food wrap.

"It seems illogical to keep cleaning it to use it," Tenniswood told the jury.

"Instead you just replace the cling film, rather than the rigmarole of cleaning."

The judge, Mr Justice Saunders, said India's murder was "a crime of utter depravity", adding that she "was vulnerable and [Tenniswood] took advantage of her vulnerability".

Since December 2021, Northampton Guardians volunteers have been about and about across the town centre, patrolling on foot to "create a safer, more supportive environment for all women and men who visit the town during busy weekend nights".

The charity works in close partnership with the Office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner; Northamptonshire Police, East Midlands Ambulance Service, Northampton Street Pastors, and local venues.

The volunteers operate from a Safer Nights Out van, "a safe space within the town for anyone to come to for help and support".

The charity estimates that since it started, it has helped more than 3,000 people, with volunteers giving about 4,333 hours every year.

Last year it was given the King's Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK, and the equivalent to an MBE.

Northampton Guardians said a number of events had been organised to remember India and celebrate her "legacy".

A service of remembrance is being held at All Saints' Church, Northampton, at 19:00 GMT on Friday, organised by the charity and India's family.

Anyone who attends has been asked to wear something purple, India's favourite colour.

Goodship said 270 printed T-shirts were being handed out to pub and club staff and posters were being distributed across the town.

It has asked venues, including One Angel Square, Market Square, Northampton General Hospital and the University of Northampton, to light up purple.

"The idea is we turn Northampton purple over that weekend, to remember her but also to celebrate the legacy that she has," said Goodship.

Images of India will also be shared on screens at Northampton Saints and Northampton Town home games on Saturday.

Volunteers would also be back out on the streets on Friday and Saturday night to "help to safeguard people enjoying the night-time economy", the charity added.

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