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Man guilty of girl's fire murder Man guilty of girl's fire murder
(10 minutes later)
A man who killed a three-year-old girl by setting fire to her family home in Liverpool in a revenge attack has been convicted of murder.A man who killed a three-year-old girl by setting fire to her family home in Liverpool in a revenge attack has been convicted of murder.
Francesca Bimpson was unable to escape the flames and suffered massive burns, Liverpool Crown Court was told.Francesca Bimpson was unable to escape the flames and suffered massive burns, Liverpool Crown Court was told.
Graham Heaps, 44, started the fire because he was bitter at the break-up of his relationship with her aunt.Graham Heaps, 44, started the fire because he was bitter at the break-up of his relationship with her aunt.
Heaps, of Woodside Terrace, Crumlin, south Wales, had denied murder. He will be sentenced on Tuesday.Heaps, of Woodside Terrace, Crumlin, south Wales, had denied murder. He will be sentenced on Tuesday.
No emotion He intended to kill one or another member of the household or cause them serious injury Brian Cummings QC, prosecuting
Heaps poured petrol though the letterbox of the house in the Everton area of the city just before Christmas 2008.Heaps poured petrol though the letterbox of the house in the Everton area of the city just before Christmas 2008.
Francesca was unable to escape the ensuing fire and suffered 85% burns. She died three weeks later in hospital.Francesca was unable to escape the ensuing fire and suffered 85% burns. She died three weeks later in hospital.
The jury of seven men and five women took two-and-a-half hours to reach their unanimous guilty verdict.The jury of seven men and five women took two-and-a-half hours to reach their unanimous guilty verdict.
The verdict was greeted by cheers and and, as Heaps was sent down, Francesca's mother, Eleanor Skelhorne, became distraught. The verdict was greeted by cheers and, as Heaps was sent down, Francesca's mother, Eleanor Skelhorne, became distraught.
She shouted at him: "That's wiped the smile off your face, hasn't it?"She shouted at him: "That's wiped the smile off your face, hasn't it?"
Francesca, her mother and father, Kieron Bimpson, both 37, and their three other children, Anne-Marie, then 17 months, Christina, eight, and 14-year-old Kieron, had all been asleep during the attack.Francesca, her mother and father, Kieron Bimpson, both 37, and their three other children, Anne-Marie, then 17 months, Christina, eight, and 14-year-old Kieron, had all been asleep during the attack.
He intended to kill one or another member of the household or cause them serious injury Brian Cummings QC, prosecuting Francesca suffered severe burns and died three weeks later
Mr Bimpson leapt out of the house first so he could catch the children when they jumped.Mr Bimpson leapt out of the house first so he could catch the children when they jumped.
But Christina, who shared a bedroom with her sister, was not strong enough to lift Francesca to the window, the court heard.But Christina, who shared a bedroom with her sister, was not strong enough to lift Francesca to the window, the court heard.
Brian Cummings QC, prosecuting, said fire crews arrived at the house as Ms Skelhorne was screaming from the street: "Get my baby out. My baby is inside."Brian Cummings QC, prosecuting, said fire crews arrived at the house as Ms Skelhorne was screaming from the street: "Get my baby out. My baby is inside."
Firefighters found her lying on her bed, limp and breathing only faintly.Firefighters found her lying on her bed, limp and breathing only faintly.
"It was always likely that she would die and she did so three weeks later," said Mr Cummings."It was always likely that she would die and she did so three weeks later," said Mr Cummings.
The jury was told that Heaps harboured ill feelings towards the family because of the break-up of his relationship.The jury was told that Heaps harboured ill feelings towards the family because of the break-up of his relationship.
Mr Cummings told them: "He intended to kill one or another member of the household or cause them serious injury."Mr Cummings told them: "He intended to kill one or another member of the household or cause them serious injury."