British editor gets 10 years jail term after killing wife with hammer in Dubai

The journalist, 61-year-old, was found guilty in the murder of his 63-year-old wife

British journalist was sentenced to 10 years in prison after he hit his wife with a hammer following an argument between the couple. The head injury proved fatal and she died the same day.

On Sunday morning, the Dubai Court of First Instance convicted the 61-year-old British journalist of beating his countrywoman wife to death after he struck her forehead twice with a hammer in July 2017.

The journalist is a former Gulf News staff member who had earlier defied charges of premeditated murder before the Court.

The journalist, 61 years of age, was found guilty in the murder of his 63-year-old wife.

The hearing took place under the oversight of Judge Fahd Ali Shamsi who said that the man will face 10 years in jail and will be deported after that.



The journalist struck his wife impetuously, in a fit of rage. His lawyer, Ali Abdullah Al Shamsi argued that it was not an intentional attack.

“The accusation sheet lacked any form of evidence, testimony or proof that the defendant had a premeditated intention to kill his wife.

"The victim started provoking, insulting and demeaning my client the previous night … despite his attempts to avoid her all night long, the victim repeatedly provoked him.

"He was under severe provocation and the assault happened in very few minutes. Her behaviour sent him into a state of distress and anger.

"He lost contro over himself, his actions and couldn’t realise the consequences of what he did,” lawyer Al Shamsi argued in court.

The incident happened at around 7am on the 4th of July at the couple's house in Umm Suqeim.

This article originally appeared in Gulf News.