A judge has said that a minimum 18-year prison sentence imposed on a man who killed his wife in Co Derry by throwing petrol on her and setting her on fire is "the least he deserves".
Thomas Rainey, 61, admitted murdering Katrina Rainey at the family farm on Quarry Road, Knockloughrim in October 2021.
After pleading guilty, he was given a life sentence, but the minimum term he must serve before becoming eligible for parole was determined at Belfast Crown Court today.
During sentencing, Mr Justice O'Hara described what Rainey did to his 53-year-old wife as "the ultimate act of domestic violence".
The judge said that the murder had been planned as he had put petrol in the bucket and had it to hand to throw over his wife, as well as a lighter.
Mrs Rainey had no realistic hope of escape, the judge said, even if she got out of the car.
She suffered "extensive injuries in the most harrowing of manners", he added.
The court previously heard from Rainey's defence team, who submitted that there had been no history of domestic violence.
However, the judge said the murder of a wife who was seeking divorce was in itself an act of domestic violence.
He said the events had been witnessed by Mrs Rainey’s children, who heard screams and saw something they would never forget.
Mr Justice O’Hara said that a minimum 18-year jail term was a "significant sentence for a man of 61".
But he said: "Given the horror of what he did to his wife, it was the least he deserves."
Today, the court heard how Mrs Rainey’s parents described her a "gentle", "beautiful" and "sincere" person who "made time for everyone".
Her mother said it felt like her life had been taken too, while her father said he only had one daughter and that her death has "left a void that can never be filled".
A victim impact statement from Mrs Rainey’s son outlined how his missed his mother about the house, but he does not have words to describe how he feels.
The court previously heard that Mrs Rainey was on her way to work at around 5.40am on 12 October 2021 when her husband opened the passenger door of her car, threw liquid around her and set her on fire.
Emergency services attended the scene after receiving a 999 call.
When they arrived, Mrs Rainey's children were placing wet towels on her as she lay on the ground.
The court heard that before she was sedated and rushed to hospital, the severely injured woman was able to tell emergency services what had happened and give a statement to police.
In her statement, she said: "I was going to work. I came out of the house and got into the car and turned the ignition on.
"My husband opened the passenger door, he threw something in a bucket over me. He held onto my fleece so I couldn't get out of the car.
"He lit me, he lit me with a torch or lighter or something.
"I had my seatbelt on and I couldn't get out of the car, but then I tried to get out and I threw myself on the ground and kept hitting my the horn.
"I needed to get some help so I put my hand on the horn."
The court heard that when Mrs Rainey was asked if she knew why her husband had done this, she told police she wanted him out of the house and had been to see a solicitor.
She received burns to over 90% of her body and died in hospital that night.
Rainey initially denied murdering his wife.
He claimed he got up that morning at 5am to tend to cattle and his wife had said goodbye as she was leaving for work.
He said that when he heard the car horn, he looked outside and saw the vehicle on fire.
He said this prompted him to run out and lift a bucket beside the gate, which he threw into the car to dampen the flames.
Prosecuting barrister Richard Weir KC said that Mrs Rainey was an unsuspecting spouse preparing to depart for her work, and was trapped in her car, prevented from either defending herself or being able to escape.
He said the extensive injuries would have caused agony before death.
Rainey's defence counsel Greg Berry KC said his client had a difficult childhood, had a long history of depression and mental illness, and told the court of the impact the death of one of his six children had on him.
Mr Berry said that he was "deeply attached" to the family farm and that the prospect of losing it, set against a backdrop of "mental fragility" had a "profound effect" on him.
His client expressed "contrition and remorse" to a probation officer for what had happened, defence counsel added, and "is a man who is horrified by what he has done".
Actions 'deliberate and shocking' - PSNI
Speaking outside Belfast Crown Court, Detective Inspector Hazel Miller described Mrs Rainey as a loving and caring mother.
The officer said the victim's children and family circle had experienced unimaginable grief and anguish.
"They are still trying to come to terms with losing a loved one in such horrific circumstances".
Detective Inspector Miller said that Rainey had been held accountable for his actions "which were deliberate and shocking and have left a family absolutely shattered".
