Georgina Vilella jailed for killing husband Carlos in fire

A woman has been jailed for 23 years for starting a fire at a house in which her husband died and a teenage girl was critically injured.

Georgina Vilella, 47, set fire to Carlos Vilella as he lay in bed in Pleck Road, Walsall, West Midlands in March last year, police said.

Four of his six daughters, aged 13 to 21, were trapped inside. His 14-year-old suffered 60% burns.

Vilella was convicted of murder and arson with intent to endanger life.

Police said the fire was started the first floor back bedroom by Vilella who is believed to have deliberately poured petrol on her 45-year-old husband, as he lay on the bed.

Evidence was gathered of her buying petrol from a garage just days before the murder, the spokesman added.

This was a premeditated act, which left six daughters without a father”

After starting the fire, Vilella left the house and watched as neighbours and emergency crews arrived and tried to rescue Mr Vilella and his children.

One daughter, then aged 17, suffered a broken pelvis and leg after jumping from the first floor window.

The 21-year-old daughter suffered smoke inhalation and cuts and bruises and a 13-year-old was rescued by neighbours as she climbed onto a porch roof, police said.

The 14-year-old was resuscitated by emergency services at the scene and has only recently been discharged from hospital, with "life changing injuries".

Det Sgt Rob Bastin, from West Midlands Police, thanked the fire service for saving the 14 year old's life as well the community for their help rescuing the other daughters.

He said: "This was a horrific case, in which Vilella acted in a cold and calculating way.

"We have evidence of her buying petrol from a garage a couple of days before the murder.

"This was a premeditated act, which left six daughters without a father and at least one of those girls with life changing injuries."

Mr Vilella's family said: "We are pleased that justice has been done for our much missed father Carlos and for all the people that Georgina put at risk by her actions.

"However, we do forgive Georgina for what she did and we are now looking forward to moving on with our lives to a positive future."