AN ELECTRICAL engineer who killed his wife when he threw a TV remote control at her head has been jailed for three years. Paul Harvey, 46, hurled the 114g remote at former US diplomat Gloria Laguna, 48, during a drug-fuelled row at their home in Euston on

AN ELECTRICAL engineer who killed his wife when he threw a TV remote control at her head has been jailed for three years.

Paul Harvey, 46, hurled the 114g remote at former US diplomat Gloria Laguna, 48, during a drug-fuelled row at their home in Euston on March 22.

By tragic coincidence, it hit Ms Laguna at the exact spot where she had a defect to the vertebral artery. She suffered a haemorrhage and collapsed almost immediately.

Prosecuting barrister Richard Whittam told the Old Bailey: "It is clear to anyone the distress he was suffering at the time. He was crying and he remained in considerable distress, including pleading with her to recover."

When paramedics arrived, Harvey said: "What have I done?" and "I think I have killed my wife. I threw a remote control at my wife's head."

Harvey, of Polygon Road, had been charged with murder but later pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Ms Laguna had worked at the US consulate in India but quit and moved to Britain after marrying Harvey in 2007.

Both Harvey, who has previous convictions for violence, and Ms Laguna had taken cocaine on the night of the incident, the court heard.

Harvey's barrister Jonathan Goldberg QC said: "He is deeply ashamed and remorseful for the loss of his wife because she was a fine woman.

"It is sad to find two people both educated, both respectable persons in society, indulging in cocaine. If this case serves any use, it may publicise the fact that these drugs are dangerous."

Sentencing, Judge Giles Forrester told Harvey: "Your crime, coupled with the tragic circumstances, have to be marked by an immediate custodial sentence.

"Of course no sentence can restore Gloria Laguna to life.