Leigh Pateman admits murdering girlfriend he set on fire

Judge Simon Hirst told him: “You know the only sentence I can pass upon you is one of life imprisonment.

“What I need to decide is the minimum term you will have to serve before you can appear before a parole board.”

During his previous sentencing hearing, the court was told how Pateman, who had fled the scene on his bike, was found at his mother’s house, where he had gone to bed, covered in soot.

He was arrested and treated for burns before being taken into police custody.

Ms Marshall, who was 42 at the time and originally from Nottingham, was discovered by firefighters lying on the floor of her home in “extreme pain” and still conscious.

Despite 12 hours of surgery she was given less than a 50% chance of survival.

Judge Hirst, passing sentence in 2022, told Pateman: “It is difficult to think of a crueller crime than setting someone alight.

“Her injuries are irreversible and she will never be able to return to her former life.”