Multi-millionaire Hans Kristian Rausing has been sentenced after admitting preventing the lawful and decent burial of his wife.
The body of Eva Rausing, 48, was discovered at the couple’s house in Belgravia on July 9.
Rausing, 49, was sentenced to ten months in custody, suspended for two years, at Isleworth Crown Court.
Judge Richard McGregor-Johnson said the case illustrated the “utterly destructive effects of drug misuse”.
A second two-month prison sentence, also suspended for two years, was imposed to run concurrently after he admitted a charge of driving while unfit through drugs.
He was also ordered to attend a residential drug rehabilitation treatment programme for two years.
Police discovered the body of mother-of-four Mrs Rausing in an advanced state of decomposition after they arrested her husband.
In a statement read to the court earlier, Rausing said he had been unable to confront the reality of Mrs Rausing’s death.
The court heard that Rausing told police in a statement after his arrest: “I do not have a very coherent recollection of the events leading up to and since Eva’s death.
“Safe to assure you that I have never wished her or done her any harm.”
He added: “I did not supply her with drugs. I have been very traumatised since her death.
“I do not know what caused her death. I did not feel able to confront the reality of her death.
“I do not feel, with the benefit of hindsight, that following her death I acted rationally.
“I tried to carry on as if her death had not happened and batted away any inquiries about her.”
In a separate statement read to the court, Rausing’s doctor said his patient had told him: “I know it sounds selfish but I just didn’t want her to leave.”
His doctor described him as a shy, socially awkward man who could not cope with the overwhelming emotional trauma of his wife’s death. (BBC)