Jealous husband jailed for killing wife
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A possessive husband was jailed for life today for killing his glamorous wife after she said she was leaving him to start a new life in Las Vegas.
Businessman Mark Campbell, 53, was found guilty of murdering 35-year-old Olga Pleguezuelos last October.
Judge Anthony Morris said he must serve a minimum term of 14 years.
Campbell, head of an online gaming company, had left his previous wife and children after meeting Ms Pleguezuelos when she became his personal assistant.
But by last year, when she was offered a top executive job in the US, she had grown tired of his controlling behaviour and said she was leaving him.
A week later, Campbell read a message on her mobile from a man she had met abroad - and an hour later she was dead.
Campbell attacked her at their bedroom in Harrow-on-the-Hill, north west London, placing a pillow over her face as she slept.
She woke up and tried to fight him, but he stabbed her in the back of the head, then "finished her off" by knifing her in the head and face four more times, the Old Bailey heard.
He then cut his own neck and wrists before dialling 999 and telling the operator: "I am going to hell."
Aftab Jaffejee QC, prosecuting, said: "He simply refused to accept the rejection. It comes down to a sadly depressing theme - if I can't have you, nobody can."
Campbell had admitted manslaughter on the grounds of provocation and lack of intent, but was found guilty of murder after only three hours.
The judge said Ms Pleguezuelos's career as an executive in the gaming industry was beginning to rise while Campbell's was on the decline.
But the judge told Campbell: "You were totally obsessed and you were extremely controlling and possessive.
"She loved you and always put your interest and welfare first."
Campbell, who had sat stony-faced as Ms Pleguezuelos's parents wept, showed no emotion as he was led from the court.
An impact statement from Ms Pleguezuelos's mother Maria said: "Our life no longer has meaning without her."