More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
The ex wife of arsonist-murderer Simon Childs told a judge today of her love for her late mother.
Jackie Allen died after becoming trapped inside a blazing house in West Malling when the vile pest controller torched the property.
He will now serve a minimum of nearly 32 years before he can even apply for parole - but could die in prison.
Today, Amanda Childs’s statement was read to the judge at Maidstone Crown Court.
She said: “All I can say is nothing will ever be the same again. We will never be the family we once were. The cruel death of my mother goes beyond comprehension.”
Mrs Justice Farbey jailed 52-year-old Childs for life and ruled he would be 84 before he can even request parole.
She told him: “You have deprived your wife of the mother she loved. You were filled with jealousy and anger which you could not control.”
Mrs Childs was with her boyfriend in Eastbourne when Childs set fire to the property in Spitfire Road, West Malling last November out of revenge.
She added: “I will never get over this. My mum was my best friend. Words cannot describe how I feel. I never got to say goodbye..I will never have that one last cup of tea together or share advice.
“This has left such a big hole in our lives. I feel so lost, helpless and heartbroken. I miss my mum so much - everything about her. The way she smiled. The lives of so many have been changed forever.
“I am the person I am today because of my mum. At work now I find myself talking to her and end up with tears rolling down my face. I try and stop this but I just can’t.
“I have even found myself searching for her name on my phone to message or call her then I realise she is not here and I can't.”
Watch KMTV's report on the verdict
Mrs Childs revealed how she lost “virtually everything” in the blaze and has since been re-housed.
She added: “I still see the last image of her (mum), waving goodbye to me as I drove off. That image will never go. I have so much guilt and ask myself what might have happened had I not gone out that night
The pest controller set fire to the property in November last year after ensuring her mother in law was inside the property..then he texted his estranged wife gloating that she had nothing left.
Mrs Allen died in the fire but another person there managed to jump to safety.
“I am the person I am today because of my mum..." Mandy Childs
Childs was convicted of murder and attempted murder and showed no emotion as victim impact statements were read to the court.
After the conviction Childs' daughter Charmaine said they will appeal the verdict and said: "He would never murder anybody, he has not done this fire, he has not done anything."
