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Man jailed for girl's fire murder Man jailed for girl's fire murder
(about 2 hours later)
A man who murdered a three-year-old girl by setting fire to her family home in a revenge attack has been jailed for at least 28 years.A man who murdered a three-year-old girl by setting fire to her family home in a revenge attack has been jailed for at least 28 years.
Francesca Bimpson suffered massive burns when Graham Heaps, 44, started the fire last December because he was bitter about a break-up with her aunt.Francesca Bimpson suffered massive burns when Graham Heaps, 44, started the fire last December because he was bitter about a break-up with her aunt.
Heaps, of Woodside Terrace, Crumlin, south Wales, poured petrol though the letterbox of the house in Liverpool.Heaps, of Woodside Terrace, Crumlin, south Wales, poured petrol though the letterbox of the house in Liverpool.
Mr Justice Henriques said Heaps was "motivated by sheer spite".Mr Justice Henriques said Heaps was "motivated by sheer spite".
Francesca died in hospital three weeks after the fire at the house in the Everton area of the city.Francesca died in hospital three weeks after the fire at the house in the Everton area of the city.
Your intent was, I believe, to burn, that is to kill, this whole family in their beds as they slept Mr Justice Henriques We went to sleep on a December night looking forward to Christmas and awoke in hell Kieron Bimpson, Francesca's father
Her mother Eleanor Skelhorne, 37, suffered minor injuries while her father Kieron Bimpson, also 37, suffered leg injuries after jumping from a first-floor window of the house to escape the flames.Her mother Eleanor Skelhorne, 37, suffered minor injuries while her father Kieron Bimpson, also 37, suffered leg injuries after jumping from a first-floor window of the house to escape the flames.
Francesca's sisters, Anne-Marie, then aged 17 months, Christina, aged eight, and her 14-year-old brother, Kieron, were treated for the effects of breathing in smoke.Francesca's sisters, Anne-Marie, then aged 17 months, Christina, aged eight, and her 14-year-old brother, Kieron, were treated for the effects of breathing in smoke.
Heaps was given a mandatory life sentence after being convicted of murder by a jury on Monday.Heaps was given a mandatory life sentence after being convicted of murder by a jury on Monday.
The judge told him he must serve a minimum of 28 years before being eligible for parole.The judge told him he must serve a minimum of 28 years before being eligible for parole.
Mr Bimpson hailed the sentence as "fantastic"Mr Bimpson hailed the sentence as "fantastic"
"Your shocking, wicked act of setting fire to a family home with four children asleep in their beds was, in my judgment, motivated by sheer spite," he said."Your shocking, wicked act of setting fire to a family home with four children asleep in their beds was, in my judgment, motivated by sheer spite," he said.
"It was a vengeful and cowardly attack on a family of six in their own home."It was a vengeful and cowardly attack on a family of six in their own home.
"You knew the Bimpson family, you had been a guest in their home, you had met all the children, you knew they had a babe in arms and a child of three, you knew her name - Francesca."You knew the Bimpson family, you had been a guest in their home, you had met all the children, you knew they had a babe in arms and a child of three, you knew her name - Francesca.
"I have no doubt a significant volume of petrol was introduced through their letterbox."I have no doubt a significant volume of petrol was introduced through their letterbox.
"Your intent was, I believe, to burn, that is to kill, this whole family in their beds as they slept.""Your intent was, I believe, to burn, that is to kill, this whole family in their beds as they slept."
The sentence means Heaps will be at least 72 before he can apply for parole but the judge said he may never be released.The sentence means Heaps will be at least 72 before he can apply for parole but the judge said he may never be released.
'Awoke in hell' 'Absolute agony'
The jury was told that Heaps harboured ill feelings towards the family because of the break-up of his relationship. Francesca's aunt was not in the house at the time of the attack.The jury was told that Heaps harboured ill feelings towards the family because of the break-up of his relationship. Francesca's aunt was not in the house at the time of the attack.
Kieron Bimpson, Francesca's father, said in a statement: "Psychologically, life will never be normal for us as the memory of the arson attack and the pain and suffering my daughter endured."Kieron Bimpson, Francesca's father, said in a statement: "Psychologically, life will never be normal for us as the memory of the arson attack and the pain and suffering my daughter endured."
He also spoke of the Francesca's "absolute agony" with the internal and external injuries she suffered in the fire.He also spoke of the Francesca's "absolute agony" with the internal and external injuries she suffered in the fire.
"Her little body was destroyed," he said."Her little body was destroyed," he said.
"The endless flashbacks and helplessness, emotional and physical pain and suffering is almost too much to bear... I endure endless nightmares and flashbacks of the night our angel was murdered."The endless flashbacks and helplessness, emotional and physical pain and suffering is almost too much to bear... I endure endless nightmares and flashbacks of the night our angel was murdered.
"We went to sleep on a December night looking forward to Christmas and awoke in hell.""We went to sleep on a December night looking forward to Christmas and awoke in hell."