A former care assistant with an obsession with fire has been jailed for a minimum of 27 years for the murder of a 96-year-old woman after setting a fire at a care home in Truro, and for related offences.

Karen Pedley, 43, formerly of Park Stenak, Caharrack was convicted of the murder of Gladys Rowe having started a fire at Rosewyn House care home in Alverton Terrace in November 2008 while she was employed there.

Mrs Rowe died in hospital a week after the blaze as a result of smoke inhalation.

Pedley was today [21 October] sentenced by Truro Crown Court to 14 life sentences with a minimum tariff of 27 years in prison.

She was found not guilty of the attempted murder of Olive Ray, also a resident of Rosewyn House at the time of the fire.

The additional sentencing related to four other offences in relation to the Rosewyn House fire, and a further eight arson-related offences at other premises. These charges relate to incidents at Trefula House Nursing Home, St Day, in 2002, Carharrack Social Club in 2006, three charges in connection with fires at the Seafarers' Centre, Falmouth, in 2007 and residential properties in Hayle and Carharrack, both in 2010.

The court heard how Pedley had developed a fascination with fire after a childhood incident in which a blaze destroyed her family home. She was hailed as a hero at the time for discovering the blaze, even winning a flight in Concorde, and for helping to get her family away from the blaze in time. The prosecution argued that this started a lifelong fascination with fire, which ended with tragic results.

Senior Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Ben Beckerleg of Devon and Cornwall Police, Major Crime Investigation Team welcomed the sentencing and added: “This has been an incredibly difficult time for Gladys Rowe’s family, and throughout the investigation of Mrs Rowe’s death and the subsequent trial they have conducted themselves with great dignity and courage.

“Pedley’s conviction reveals the truth in relation to the cause of the fire at Rosewyn Care Home and fully vindicates the owners of any wrongdoing”.

“I would like to thank all of the members of the public and the emergency services who contributed towards this complex investigation.

Detective Inspector Beckerleg continued: “We are satisfied that Pedley has been found guilty of these additional arson offences, any of which could have had equally tragic results and which exposed innocent members of the public to great risk of harm. The impact of these offences cannot be underestimated, including the damage to businesses and livelihoods that resulted.”