Man who threw petrol on wife & set her on fire in ‘ultimate act of domestic violence’ caged
A MAN who killed his wife in an "ultimate act of domestic violence" by throwing a bucket of petrol over her and setting her on fire inside a car has been caged.
Thomas Rainey has been sentenced to a minimum of 18 years in prison for the murder of his wife.
The 61-year-old of Quarry Road in Knockloughrim, Co Derry, murdered mum-of-six Katrina Rainey on October 12 2021 when he threw a bucket of petrol over her and set her on fire inside a car.
Sentencing Rainey at Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday, Mr Justice O'Hara said: "This is a significant prison sentence for a man of 61 but, given the horror of what he did to his wife, it is the least he deserves."
Rainey must serve a minimum of 18 years before being able to apply for release.
Mr Justice O'Hara described the incident as "the ultimate act of domestic violence".
Speaking outside the court, Detective Inspector Hazel Miller said tragic Katrina "died a horrific death".
The 53-year-old was on the way to work at 5.40am on the morning of October 12, 2021 when her husband threw flammable liquid on her and set her alight.
DI Miller said: "Mother-of-six Katrina Rainey died a horrific death after being trapped inside a car that became engulfed in flames.
"Mrs Rainey was in the car, with her seatbelt on, about to leave for work that morning. Thomas Rainey opened the passenger door; he threw flammable liquid over his wife; and set her alight.
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"On arrival at the scene, officers, along with other emergency services, found Katrina outside the burnt vehicle, having sustained severe and extensive burns to her body.
"She was taken to hospital but, sadly, later died from her injuries."
EVIL ACT
Ms Rainey was still alive and being attended to by her children who were covering her with wet towels when emergency services arrived.
Ms Rainey was able to relay details of the attack to emergency services, some of which was captured on police bodycam, before she was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where she later died.
She told police that she had been to see a solicitor and she believed the attack was her husband's retaliation to the pending divorce.
Ms Rainey also told police that she was unable to get out of the car due to her seatbelt being fastened so she kept "hitting the horn and screaming".
The beloved mum was rushed to hospital, where she died that night after receiving burns to 90 per cent of her body.
The defence put forward that Mr Rainey had no previous history of domestic abuse, but Mr Justice O'Hara stated during sentencing "the murder of a wife who is seeking a divorce is in itself a definitive act of domestic violence".
In court on Wednesday, Thomas Rainey sat in the dock awaiting sentence wearing a red jumper and striped shirt. He did not react when the sentence was handed down.
Mr Rainey had received a mental health assessment after his arrest that found he was suffering from a depressive disorder of moderate severity, but the court stated that this was not so severe as to prevent him from exercising self-control or understanding his actions.
'NO REALISTIC HOPE OF ESCAPE'
Mr Justice O'Hara also stated that Ms Rainey was in a "particularly vulnerable" position inside the car where she had "no realistic hope of escape" when she was attacked and the fact that Mr Rainey had put petrol in a bucket and had a lighter on hand indicated premeditation.
In a victim impact statement Ms Rainey's mother said "my life has been taken too", adding that she worries about the long-term impact on her grandchildren who witnessed their mother covered in flames.
DI Miller said Ms Rainey was a "caring and loving mother", adding her; and her children and wider family circle, have experienced "unimaginable grief and anguish".
She said: "They are still trying to come to terms with losing their loved one in such horrific circumstances.
"Today, thanks to our dedicated investigation team and working in partnership with our colleagues in the Public Prosecution Service, the defendant has been held accountable for his actions.
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"Actions that were deliberate and shocking; and which have left a family shattered.
"While today's sentencing signifies the end of the judicial process, I know that Katrina's family will be walking away with the heaviest of hearts. My thoughts remain firmly with them."