A millionaire architect was jailed for seven years today after being convicted of killing his wife when she was trying to divorce him.

Gracia Morton, 40, disappeared without trace eight years ago after going to the Notting Hill house of her estranged husband, Michael Morton. Despite extensive searches, her body has not been found. Police believe it may have been disposed of locally by Morton, who had a professional knowledge of building work.

A jury at the Old Bailey today found Morton guilty of his wife’s manslaughter but not guilty of her murder. Jailing him, Judge Jeremy Roberts said that if the architect had been able to accept what he had done he might have been able to make a considerable reduction to the sentence. But Morton’s denial had "resulted in years of agonising on the part of his wife’s family on what had happened to her".

The judge added: "There is no evidence that you or anyone can explain exactly what happened. I am sure it was a sudden flare-up brought about by a disagreement about schooling about which you felt strongly."

There was evidence that Morton was in a state of emotional turmoil when it happened. "But it is still an unlawful killing," Judge Roberts said.

The defendant showed no emotion as he was led to the cells.

The court heard how Gracia’s car containing her mobile phone was left parked outside Morton’s £800,000 house in St Ann’s Road, Notting Hill, West London.

Morton, 67, told police she had asked him to look after the car and their four-year-old daughter. But it was not until six years later that police discovered CCTV footage of him making a secret visit using her keys to her Kensington flat.

Morton denied murder at the Old Bailey. He was convicted of manslaughter following a retrial. A jury at an earlier trial in November, last year, failed to agree on a verdict.

At the second trial, the prosecution was able to introduce "bad character" evidence that Morton had been violent to his wife in the past.

Morton, who was said to be "besotted and still in love" with Gracia, had been devastated when the former violinist left him nine months earlier. He attempted suicide and begged her to return. But Gracia had found a new love, a new home and was looking forward to a new life with her beloved daughter.

As the divorce proceedings became more bitter, Morton accused Gracia of trying to steal his money - particularly £480,000 which he said was his.

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