'Grudge' arson killers get life

The men admitted pouring petrol through the letter box of the house

Two men who admitted murdering of a 67-year-old widow in an arson attack on her south Wales home have been jailed for life.

Joe Thompson and David McAllister, from Glasgow, admitted pouring petrol through the letterbox of Ruth Whitton's home at Baglan, Port Talbot, south Wales and setting it alight.

The men believed Mrs Whitton's son, John, who was also living at the house, had sexually attacked Joe Thomson's sister.

But Swansea Crown Court heard that no sex assault charges had ever been brought against Mr Whitton, 40, a Falklands War veteran who was also seriously injured in the arson attack in June last year.

The court was also told the men had previously attempted a similar arson attack, targeting Mr Whitton's own home, causing him to move in with his mother.

Widow Ruth Whitton died and her son was injured in the attack

Thomson and McAllister also admitted, along with Paul Connor, 26, also of Glasgow, to conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Whitton.

Connor, once a Scottish youth international soccer player, was jailed for six years.

The court heard that in the June attack, Thomson and McAllister, both 28, poured eight litres of petrol through Mrs Whitton's letterbox and then tossed a coin to see who would "have the honour" of setting the blaze. McAllister won.

Revenge motive

Their target, Mr Whitton, 40, was rescued unconscious by firemen.

The body of his mother was found at the bottom of the stairs.

Leighton Davies QC, prosecuting, said Thomson's motive was revenge after his sister claimed Mr Whitton had sexually assaulted her.

But sentencing the three men, the judge, Mr Justice Chistopher Pitchford called them "evil, brutish and cruel."

He added: "You took the life of an elderly lady who had caused harm to no one.

"Your target himself was fortunate to escape with his life."

Family statement

After the court case the Whitton family said in a statement: "The murder of our mother has had a devastating effect on our family.

"She was a kind, loving mother, grandmother and friend who did not deserve this ending.

"Her care and compassion to all is sadly missed."

A South Wales Police spokesman said: "After a protracted and complex investigation, we are thankful that the family and friends of Ruth Whitton will not have to endure a long trial.

"After nearly 16 months, they can now look to the future knowing that those guilty of this calculated and shocking crime that ended so tragically, have been brought to justice."