A "wicked and terrible" woman who murdered her disabled mother-in-law by setting fire to her home to get her inheritance money has been jailed for life.
Karen Vamplew, 44, started the blaze at the property of Elizabeth Vamplew, 77, by setting her bed alight as she slept. The frail pensioner, who was also deaf, died from burns and smoke inhalation after the blaze tore through her bungalow on Eton Court, in Newark, Nottinghamshire, on December 15, 2021.
A judge said Elizabeth would have witnessed a scene of "hell" in her bedroom when she woke up. The trial heard her daughter-in-law, also known as Karen Degg, carried out the murder in a bid to cash in on inheritance money as she struggled with mounting debt.
Jurors heard Vamplew had also been using her mother-in-law's bank account to fund her lifestyle and pocketed almost £27,000 from it. She had kept her money problems secret from her husband and mother-in-law - and claimed to police the fire was accidentally started by a lit cigarette.
Last week, a jury found her guilty of murder following a trial at Leicester Crown Court. On Monday, Vamplew, of Newark, was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum term of 32 years.
Judge Timothy Spencer KC said her actions had been "wicked and terrible" and Elizabeth would have woken to find a scene of "hell" in her bedroom. The court was told Elizabeth, known to her family as Anna, was in poor health having undergone seven hip operations and was deaf.
The judge said Vamplew considered her mother-in-law "a burden" and had killed her for financial gain. Thanking the jury for their service after the verdicts, Judge Spencer told them the case had been “one of the most distressing it is possible to imagine."
In an emotional tribute after the sentencing, heartbroken family members said in a statement: "Anne was a devoted mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend to many. She married her husband Jess in 1968 and embarked on their journey together in Collingham. Their family grew with the arrival of Mark, and later, they moved to Newark, where Rachel completed their loving family circle. Together, they created cherished memories travelling in their caravan, often accompanied by Anne's sister Jean and their families.
"Anne and Jess found solace and joy in tending to their beloved garden, earning recognition with an award for Best Kept Garden. Christmas held a special place in Anne's heart, as it meant being surrounded by her beloved family, the true source of her happiness. Anne was happiest when time was spent with her three granddaughters - Leah, Jessie and Isla. She was immensely proud of them all.
"Anne loved her holidays and adored cruising. She would cruise at least twice a year with family and friends. She made many friends on these holidays as she loved to chat and get to know people. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends."