NORTHWOOD BANK WORKER JAILED FOR WIFE’S MURDER
A bank worker who strangled his wife to death after lashing out in fear he was about to lose his job has been convicted of her murder and jailed for life.Manas Kapoor, 35, of Kewferry Drive, Northwood, must serve a minimum of 16 years for killing his wife, Shivani, pictured below.
Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Simon Pickford of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, stated: "Manas Kapoor was under a great deal of pressure, both at work and home.
"He was a compulsive gambler who was heavily in debt.
On the day in question he was due to attend a disciplinary meeting with his employers, and genuinely feared he was about to lose his job.
"He admitted in police interview that he found it difficult to deal with stress and the jury, today, have agreed with the prosecution account that he killed his wife, strangling her in a fit of rage when the many stresses came to a head." Police were called to the couple's home shortly after 1.50pm on July 10 last year following reports of a woman found unresponsive.
Upon arrival, officers found 35-year-old Shivani being treated by London Ambulance Service staff.
She was transported to Hillingdon Hospital but later died from her injuries.
A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death as manual neck compression.
Kapoor was arrested at the scene.
The court heard that he initially made a 999 call claiming he found his wife unconscious, stating he thought she had fallen off a stool and hit her head.
He later claimed she suffered fainting fits, although he did not tell paramedics about any medical conditions.
On the day of the incident, Kapoor was due to attend an important work meeting regarding a serious accounting error involving millions of dollars for which he was held responsible.
Kapoor, who had been with a Canary Wharf bank as a product controller for several years, feared losing his job.
He had been on long-term sick leave since January due to depression and anxiety.
The court also learned he was in personal debt of £8,000 due to gambling, which caused tension with his wife, with whom he had a young daughter.
Mrs.
Kapoor had expressed worries about her and her daughter's missing jewellery and missing money in the days preceding her death.
Kapoor had pawned the jewellery to cover debts and borrowed additional thousands.
The prosecution suggested the circumstances were conducive for him to lash out in temper and strangle his wife.
Police officers noted small scratches on Kapoor’s face, which he claimed were caused by his daughter, stating he was in the bath when his wife fell.
