An angry wife, who tried to smother her sleeping husband to death with a pillow after he refused to give her a hug, has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.
Linda McQuade, 53, told police: "I wanted to get rid of him. I had enough of him. I was not going to stop."
The first-time offender pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Steve McQuade, 54, at the one-bedroom flat they shared above their shop in Clarence Road, Grays, Essex on March 20, last year.
Remarkably, the couple have patched things up and Mr. McQuade has made regular weekly visits to Holloway Prison, where his wife has been held on remand since she tried to kill him.
Prosecutor Mr. Julius Capon told Croydon Crown Court (pictured) Mr. McQuade snubbed his wife's request to lie down with her and give her a hug and she told him: "You don't love me anymore."
Instead he napped alone and the defendant pounced.
"He woke up gasping for air and his wife was standing next to him with a pillow in her hand," explained Mr. Capon. "She said: 'I will fucking kill you'."
Mr. McQuade tried to dial 999, but his wife completed the call for him and allowed the police in.
"She told the officers she had tried to murder her husband," added the prosecutor.
Mr. McQuade told the police: "I still feel a bit shocked and shaken, but I think it was out of character for Linda and I want her to get help."
Mr. Capon added: "He withdrew his statement and has not supported this prosecution.
"His view is that Linda is still his wife and it is his wish she returns to be with him."
Her lawyer Mr. Andrew Hope said: "She has a long history of depression and she taken overdoses in the past.
"She has also taken herself off for a few weeks at a time to sort herself out, get well, and return.
"Another way she has dealt with depression is to drink alcohol and to drink heavily, two to three bottles of wine a day plus vodka.
"He was spending a lot of time in the pub and she was left feeling lonely and isolated.
"She wanted a hug and on that particular day he did not reciprocate and the defendant struggles to recall what happened during the rest of the day," explained Mr. Hope.
"This is an offence committed on the spur of the moment and she is deeply remorseful and regretful."
Judge Christopher Mitchell told McQuade: "You were under the influence of alcohol when you came to smother your husband and everything was a blur.
"His attitude has been one of utmost support and he did not want you prosecuted.
"It was a spontaneous attempt to kill."
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