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| Georgina Vilela poured petrol on her husband after finding out he had fathered a love child and then set their Walsall home alight, killing him and seriously injuring his daughter |
Pontes Furtado Vilela, 47, was sentenced to 23 years in prison after being convicted of murder and arson with intent to endanger life at Wolverhampton Crown Court earlier today.
During the two week trial the court heard how HIV-positive Vilela had suffered from depression and felt 'like an incomplete woman' as a result of not being able to bear Mr Vilela children. The serious house fire she started happened while four of her step-daughters were also in the home.
It had been started in the first floor back bedroom by Georgina, from Walsall, who is believed to have deliberately poured petrol on her 45-year-old husband Carlos, as he lay on the bed.
She then left the property and watched as neighbours and emergency services battled to rescue Carlos and four of his six daughters, aged 13 to 21, who were all trapped inside.
The most seriously injured daughter, Josefina then aged 14, suffered 60 per cent burns in the blaze and had to be rescued from inside the house by the fire service.
She was resuscitated by emergency services at the scene and has only recently been discharged from hospital, with life changing injuries.
One of the daughters, aged 17 at the time, suffered a broken pelvis and leg after she jumped from the first floor window.
The 21-year-old daughter suffered smoke inhalation as well as cuts and bruises, while a 13-year-old girl was rescued by neighbours as she climbed onto a porch roof.
Judge John Warner sentenced Vilela to life for the charge of murder with a minimum sentence of 23 years and 10 years to run concurrently for the charge of arson with intent to endanger life.
He said: 'You are 47 years of age, a lady of previous good character. The jury have convicted you of murdering your husband and for arson with intent to endanger life.
'You killed your husband in the most horrific way by throwing petrol on him from the container you bought in the week before the murder.
'You set fire to him on the bed you and he shared. It was a very serious fire. Your four stepdaughters were in the house at the time and you knew it.
'Helena fractured her leg and pelvis escaping the fire. Josefina, now aged 15, had to be rescued by firefighters and received catastrophic injuries.
'Both her legs had to be amputated at the knee and her arm as well. She remains in hospital. Her life has been totally ruined by what you have done. '
Your husband was in a vulnerable position and at your mercy with that lethal source of petrol and ignition that you used to such a devastating effect and you did intend to kill him.
'The act of setting fire to him was something you had contemplated for some time before you did it and at the time we have heard you had conversations with your stepdaughters about wanting to appear in the newspapers or TV.'
Detective Sergeant Rob Bastin, from the Major Investigation Review Team, said 'This tragic event has clearly devastated the family and has had a significant effect on the community around them.
Culled-Dailymail
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