Man jailed for killing wife in front of sons

A man who strangled his wife in front of their two young sons before calling 999 has been jailed for eight years.

The boys, aged five and three, looked on as Tourgay Djevdet, 50, attacked Aysel Djevdet , 38, for at least 20 seconds, following a row at their home in Palmers Green, north London.

One of the boys described seeing blood coming from his mother's mouth after the assault last December.

Djevdet admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Psychotic symptoms

Psychiatrists had assessed that he was suffering from a depressive illness with psychotic symptoms at the time of the killing, the Old Bailey heard.

He claimed she had been throwing plates at him which provoked him into attacking her.

Judge Timothy Pontius told him: "Any deliberate taking of human life in whatever circumstances must always be regarded as very serious indeed.

"You killed your wife of nine years in the presence of your children, with one at least witnessing her death."