In April 1998, Craig, 58, doused Jacqueline Kirk in gasoline and set her ablaze in a car park in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. In August 2019, she died due to medical issues.
In addition to the 18 years he has already served, a man was sentenced to an additional 15 years in prison for lighting his partner on fire and causing her death 21 years later.
In April 1998, Steven Craig, age 58, doused Jacqueline Kirk in gasoline and set her ablaze in a car park in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.
After serving more than 18 years in prison for the assault, he was caught and charged with her murder in August 2019 after her passing. Last month, he was found guilty of this crime by a jury at Bristol Crown Court.
At Thursday’s sentencing, Judge Mrs. Justice Stacey described Craig’s behavior as “sadistic” and the attack as “calculated and premeditated,” awarding him a minimum total sentence of 34 years.
She told him that his actions were cruel since he set her head and chest on fire on purpose.
“Anyone who utilizes gasoline must be mindful of the gravity of their acts. It was so vicious and heartless.”
She went on: “You never intended to kill Jacqueline. The possibility of her death as a result of what you did to her, however, is so evident in your situation that its relevance is essentially nullified.”
The 1998 attack resulted in 35% burns to Ms. Kirk’s torso, necessitating 14 procedures, including skin grafts and a tracheotomy, according to testimony at Craig’s trial.
She reached the age of 61, saw both of her children marry, and became a grandma.
Due to her weakness, physicians refused to operate on her the day after she was taken to the Royal Bath Hospital in 2019, and she died the following day.
The victim was a “unique and extraordinary woman”
Mrs. Justice Stacey paid respect to Ms. Kirk, who, due to her injuries, was only expected to live for 10 years but “contrary to expectations” lived for more than twice as long.
She stated, “With the help of her family, she was determined to live as full a life as possible.” What an outstanding and remarkable woman she must have been.
She added that due to the severity of her injuries, she was left feeling suicidal at times.
“She suffered from chronic pain, sadness, and nightmares.
“Her wounds and deformities were gruesome. It was tough to breathe and to eat and drink.
Due to the severity of her facial scarring, she was subjected to street violence.
Reservoir Dogs’ torture scene was riveting
The judge explained that Ms. Kirk had taken Craig into her house while he was homeless and battling with alcohol and drugs in 1998.
After the couple began dating, he was regularly violent, once “fracturing her cheekbone” and frequently threatening to murder her.
Three days before the gasoline attack, he had locked her in a restroom at a train station and left her there for hours before a cleaner freed her.
The court stated that Craig frequently viewed a torture scene from the film Reservoir Dogs, adding, “You relished acting like the characters in the film.”
The court heard that the couple was traveling from Bath to Plymouth when they stopped at Weston-super-Mare.
During the automobile ride, Craig tortured Ms. Kirk by telling her that an assassin named “Charlie” from York had been recruited to assassinate her.
Mrs. Stacey stated, “She was terrified because she was aware of your capacity for violence.”
“There is no doubt that you intended to launch a massive assault on that road trip using whatever methods you had available.”
Craig punched Ms. Kirk in the face and poured gasoline over her head after stopping at a gas station to fill a coke bottle with gasoline.
She exited the vehicle because she believed it to be safer, and he taunted her by asking if she desired a cigarette.
The court heard that Ms. Kirk was set on fire by a lighter and then thrown to the ground.
Craig “lied” to the police, according to the judge, and was more concerned with his safety than that of his victim.
Prior convictions, including rape and GBH against a previous partner
The court heard that after spending seven months in the hospital and learning that he had committed rape and grievous bodily harm against another woman with whom he was in a relationship, Ms. Kirk told police what transpired.
Craig, who must serve a minimum of 15 years before the parole board will consider his release, has a lengthy criminal record.
His trial heard that he was addicted to drugs by the age of 21 and that, despite expressing a “desire to practice abstinence” in prison, he frequently blamed alcohol and sometimes his victims for his crimes.
Prosecutor Richard Smith KC instructed the jury that they were not required to determine that Ms. Kirk’s injuries were the primary cause of her death, only that their contribution was “more than minimal.”
Craig admitted to being responsible for the assault, but not for her death.
If ever released, he will remain on parole for the remainder of his life.
