Man jailed for broccoli killing

The Old Bailey heard police had been called to handle at least a dozen rows

A south London man has been jailed for five years for killing his partner after she threw broccoli at him.

Alexander Kelly was convicted of the manslaughter of Yvonne Barlow, 44, who was stabbed in Clapham in January.

He lashed out during an argument about their dog but claimed he "forgot" he was holding the knife, which he said he was using to eat his meal.

The 60-year-old, who had denied murder, was found guilty of the lesser charge at the Old Bailey.

The knife went through Ms Barlow's side and into her lung, the court heard.

Kelly had drunk at least four pints while watching football in a pub before returning to his home in Britannia Close.

A row broke out when he smacked the couple's puppy for fouling the floor.

'Very sorry'

"I sat back down to eat with my knife and fork in my hand," Kelly told police.

"She grabbed the food on my plate. I stood up and lashed out with my hand.

"I forgot I had the knife in my hand at the time and so I stabbed her through the chest. I didn't mean to stab her. I'm very sorry."

The pair had frequently argued and officers had been called at least a dozen times as a result of the rows, the court heard.

Judge Richard Hawkins said that while Ms Barlow may have said or done something "to provoke" Kelly, there was "no excuse" for the attack.