Man jailed for 35 years for family's arson murder

LONDON, Nov 1 (Reuters) A 31-year-old man was jailed for a minimum of 35 years today for the murder of three children and their stepfather in an arson attack on their home in Staffordshire, central England.

Mark Goldstraw had denied any involvement in the fire which killed his 16-year-old ex-girlfriend Samantha Carter, her 10-year-old sister Patricia, seven-year-old brother Marcus and their stepfather, Roddy Hine, 44.

The four died after an explosion set fire to their home in Cheddleton, near Leek, shortly before midnight on March 9 this year.

Goldstraw, who had a previous manslaughter conviction, had been out of prison on licence at the time of the fire.

Speaking outside Stafford Crown Court after sentencing Detective Chief Inspector Dave Garrett said Goldstraw was an ''obsessive who couldn't stomach rejection''.

''Goldstraw is an extremely dangerous man. He waited until his four victims had gone to bed before letting himself into the house, dowsing the hallway in petrol and setting it alight.'' The children's mother Amanda Carter was out working a night shift at the time of the fire.

In a statement read by her sister Carter said Goldstraw's punishment would never fit his crime.

''The children and Roddy had their whole lives to look forward to and this has been cruelly cut short.

''They enjoyed life to the full -- I miss them all so much.'' Hine's brother Richard said Goldstraw should never be released.

''Goldstraw had killed before, we are angry that he was able to go on and kill again.

''If lessons are not learned five lives will have been lost in vain.

Rob Mandley, chief officer of Staffordshire Probation Board, defended the supervision of Goldstraw while on parole release.

''There was no suggestion from the information we had that he would go on to commit this kind of offence.

''We are committed to reduce the risk of reoffending. We are constantly reviewing policy and practice ... but no one can guarantee totally that risk will be eliminated.'' The case is the latest of a serious of high-profile crimes committed by prisoners freed early on parole.

Last month a report from three justice watchdogs said the public has been put at risk by the way the police, prison and probation services deal with criminals released from jail.

Reuters PDM VP0013