Husband jailed for killing wife with remote control

A man was jailed for three years today for killing his wife by throwing a television remote control at her head.

Paul Harvey, 46, killed Gloria Laguna, 48, by a "fluke" chance after the remote struck her on a weak artery near her neck, the Old Bailey heard.

She died from a massive brain haemorrhage as Harvey tried to give her the kiss of life.

Harvey, an electrical engineer of Euston, central London, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in March.

The couple had been arguing when Harvey lost his temper at his wife, a former American diplomat in India.

Jonathan Goldberg QC, defending, told the court the couple had intended to go to church but stayed home to watch television instead.

An argument started about maintenance which Harvey was paying to a stepdaughter from a previous marriage.

"All he did was throw the remote control in her direction," said Mr Goldberg.

"By a fluke chance, maybe the same as, in a different context, winning the lottery, it landed on the exact spot where she had a weakness.

"He loved this woman very much. She was obviously a very fine woman who gave up her work for him.

"He is deeply ashamed and remorseful at the death of his wife at his hand."

The court was told that Ms Laguna had a very rare condition which neither she or her husband knew about.

Richard Whittam QC, prosecuting, said: "It would only have required a trivial incident to cause her death."

Judge Giles Forrester told Harvey: "To throw a hard object such as a remote control device so as to strike your wife in this way was irresponsible and dangerous. You have a problem with your temper."

He said Harvey had to take responsibility for the "dreadful and tragic" consequences of his actions.