A twisted boyfriend murdered his ex and used petrol to set fire to her body.
Habib Jackson, 32, was jailed for life for the horrific attack on mum-of-two Louise Rump, 29, at her flat in the village of Kensworth, Bedfordshire.
Security guard Jackson was driven by "jealousy, rage and...sexual frustration" as he punched Ms Rump in the face several times before strangling and smothering her.
He then started a fire in the flat using a bottle of petrol he had brought with him.
On Wednesday, Jackson was sentenced to life in prison at St Albans Crown Court and told he must serve 23 years before being considered for release.
Sentencing, Judge Michael Kay said: “The killing was driven by jealousy, rage and an element of sexual frustration.
“Louise Rump was a single mother of two children.
"As a result of your obsession with her and your controlling, violent nature, those two children will now have to live with the knowledge that, while they were at school, their mother was brutally strangled or smothered to death and her body was set on fire.”
Ms Rump - described as "full of life" - was last seen alive on the morning of October 16, 2020, when she dropped her daughter off at school.
At around 11.15am that day Jackson was seen on CCTV heading to Ms Rump's address where he had planned to meet her.
The court heard how Jackson had wanted to rekindle a relationship with her but she did not feel the same.
Just over an hour later, the mother of two was found dead in her flat by firefighters.
Jackson, of Toddington, Bedfordshire, admitted using petrol in a small drinks bottle during the attack - but told the court he had it in his car for bonfire night.
He was later seen discarding a bloodstained jumper and a cardboard box not far from the scene before driving off.
Shortly after the incident, Jackson went to his place of work in Houghton Regis where he concealed clothing and one of Ms Rump’s mobile phones in a bin.
Jane Hedges, Ms Rump’s auntie, said: “While we have taken some comfort from today’s sentence, nothing will ever make up for our loss and the grief our family is feeling.
“This was such a needless crime and a tragic waste of life.
"Louise was a real star among us, full of life and energy who would brighten any room she went into.
“Her children will now sadly have to grow up without their mum.
"Our thoughts are with them today and we will do everything we can to support them so they grow up to make their mum proud.”
T/Superintendent Rob Hall of the Bedfordshire, Cambridge and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, which led the investigation, said: “This was a horrifically violent and despicable crime committed against a young mother who had her whole life ahead of her and now leaves behind two young children.
“I welcome the result in court today and hope this goes some way in giving Louise’s family and friends the closure and justice they so deeply deserve.
“My thoughts remain with Louise’s family and her close friends at this time.”
A second man charged with her murder, Christopher Hayward, 32, of Houghton Regis, Beds, was found not guilty on Tuesday following the four-week trial at St Albans Crown Court.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dee Perkins, Bedfordshire Police ’s lead for male violence against women and girls, said: “This kind of obsessive, controlling and violent behaviour is evil, dangerous and unacceptable.
“We can all stand up to this and make sure that women and girls across Bedfordshire feel safe.
“I want to thank everyone in the MCU who was involved in this investigation, and everyone in policing must make sure we recognise this kind of behaviour, take it seriously and take action against men like Habib Jackson.
“But the public can also support us with this.
"By calling out misogynistic behaviour and reporting concerns where women don’t feel safe, we can help rid society of these appalling attitudes and behaviour.”
