John
12-08-2009, 06:44 PM
Francesca Bimpson was trapped inside the house in Everton, Liverpool, in December 2008, suffering horrendous burns and dying in hospital three weeks later.
Graham Heaps, who must serve at least 28 years, torched the property because he harboured ill feelings towards Francesca's family after the breakdown of his relationship with her aunt.
Liverpool Crown Court heard the labourer, 44, could not handle the rejection and had been warned off by the Bimpsons for hounding his ex.
He poured petrol and a naked flame through the letterbox while Francesca and her family were sleeping.
Francesca's mother Eleanor Skelhorne, 37, suffered minor injuries and her father Kieron Bimpson, also 37, suffered leg injuries jumping from a first-floor window.
Francesca's sisters, Anne-Marie, then 17 months, Christina, eight, and 14-year-old brother, Kieron, were treated for the effects of smoke.
After sentencing, Mr Bimpson branded Heaps, formerly of Conwy Drive, Everton, but now of Woodside Terrace, Crumlin, South Wales, a coward.
Refering to the 28-year sentence, he said: "A hundred years, a million years would not be long enough."
Graham Heaps, who must serve at least 28 years, torched the property because he harboured ill feelings towards Francesca's family after the breakdown of his relationship with her aunt.
Liverpool Crown Court heard the labourer, 44, could not handle the rejection and had been warned off by the Bimpsons for hounding his ex.
He poured petrol and a naked flame through the letterbox while Francesca and her family were sleeping.
Francesca's mother Eleanor Skelhorne, 37, suffered minor injuries and her father Kieron Bimpson, also 37, suffered leg injuries jumping from a first-floor window.
Francesca's sisters, Anne-Marie, then 17 months, Christina, eight, and 14-year-old brother, Kieron, were treated for the effects of smoke.
After sentencing, Mr Bimpson branded Heaps, formerly of Conwy Drive, Everton, but now of Woodside Terrace, Crumlin, South Wales, a coward.
Refering to the 28-year sentence, he said: "A hundred years, a million years would not be long enough."