An "evil" Southend arsonist who murdered his own mother in a flat fire has been jailed for life with a minimum of 27 years in prison.
Andrew Wilding, 42, of Southchurch Road, Southend was sentenced today at Basildon Crown Court for killing his mother in the home he shared with her.
Yesterday, Wilding, was found guilty of murder and arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
During the hearing this afternoon Judge Samantha Leigh told him he deliberately disabled the smoke alarms.
She said: "This was an evil and pre-planned act showing no mercy for the care you gave to your mother. I've seen no emotion from you.
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"She was particularly vulnerable and suffered mental and psychical harm in the fire,. Her screams show she was awake when the hot gases started to burn her throat and led to her death."
He was found guilty following a trial and during the trial, jurors were told that moments after setting fire to the home he fled to McDonald’s at Southend Airport to buy a milkshake.
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