Unaware that her husband had lost his job, Ms Tang Shifang slapped him for spending his time playing computer games. This angered him and the fight that followed left her with multiple injuries including collapsed lungs and a ruptured kidney. Ms Tang eventually died from her injuries.

Her husband Lee Show Fui, 33, was on Friday sentenced to five years in jail, after pleading guilty to culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Justice Woo Bih Li considered Ms Tang's provocation, and an offer the schizophrenic man made to call an ambulance when he realised his wife was badly injured.

The couple have a history of violent quarrels and are both trained in martial arts. Their fight on Aug 31, 2011, began with Lee oversleeping. Thinking he would be late for work, his wife pulled his ear and scolded him. When the 37-year-old coffeeshop assistant later saw him at the computer and slapped him on the cheek, he retaliated by punching and kicking at her, the court heard on Friday.

The maximum penalty for culpable homicide not amounting to murder is life imprisonment or a jail term of up to 20 years, plus caning or a fine.