AN ARSONIST who killed a three-year-old by setting fire to her family home in a revenge attack was jailed for life.

Graham Heaps, 44, was told he will serve a minimum of 28 years behind bars after being convicted of murdering Francesca Bimpson by pouring petrol through the letter box of her Everton home and setting it alight.

Francesca suffered 85% burns after becoming trapped in an upstairs bedroom and died three weeks later in hospital.

Labourer Heaps sat impassively as moving victim impact statements from Francesca’s parents, brother and sister were read out, reducing many sitting in the public gallery and two jurors to tears.

Heaps, formerly of Conwy Drive, Everton, but now of Woodside Terrace, Crumlin, South Wales, showed no reaction as the sentence was delivered, other than to say “thank you” to the judge.

Francesca’s father Kieron Bimpson shouted “bye” as Heaps, wearing a dark three-piece suit, was led away by three security guards. He will be at least 72-years-old before even being considered for release.