Jacob Barnard and Andrew Milne jailed for life for murders

Jacob Barnard, 32, and Andrew Milne, 42, were told that they had “fabricated” stories to try to get themselves off the hook in Eastbourne.

They set fire to the home of Gina Ingles, 34, in Croxden Way in July 2018 in a bid to send a message to drugs customers to pay up.

Her four-year-old son Milo Ingles-Bailey was found huddled in his mother’s arms at the property.

They had both been overcome by the thick toxic black smoke from the petrol poured through the letterbox.

Barnard and Milne were targeting Gina’s partner Toby Jarrett, now aged 29, over a £400 drugs debt. He escaped with terrible burns and a broken back, and was in a coma for a month after the fire.

Gina Ingles and her son Milo Ingles-Bailey were murdered in a house fire in Eastbourne, while Toby Jarrett survived with horrific burns

At Brighton Crown Court, The Honourable Mrs Justice Philippa Whipple sentenced Barnard and Milne to life in prison.

Barnard, previously of Spring Steps, Winchelsea, will first have to serve the remainder of a prison spell in Portugal for possessing drugs and weapons.

He continued to deny any involvement as he was taken down by security guards, and told he must serve a minimum of 36 years before he can be considered for parole.

Jailed for life: Smirking drug dealer and murderer Jacob Barnard
Milne, of Wilmington Road, Hastings, was told he will serve a minimum of 34 years before he can be considered for parole.

Jailed for life: Killer Andrew Milne

Mrs Justice Whipple said: “Gina’s body was found in a crouched position covering Milo. She was trying to protect him to the last. They must have been terrified as the toxic smoke from the fire engulfed them.

“The fire had been set deliberately by pouring petrol through the front door, and it spread quickly.

“This was a crime committed under the cover of darkness. A crime of stealth and cowardice.

“The defendants made no sound as they came and went. There was no warning of the fire as they disappeared into the night.
The horrifying inferno at Croxden Way, Eastbourne

“This was a carefully planned, targeted attack on innocent people. It is shocking for all right-thinking people.”

The judge said it was a “joint enterprise” between Barnard and Milne, and said: “The £400 drug debt was such a small thing to have triggered such an unspeakable act.”
The aftermath of the scene at Croxden Way, Eastbourne
Barnard was found guilty of two murders and the attempted murder of Mr Jarrett. Milne, dubbed Barnard’s “enforcer” was found guilty of the same offences and of possessing a Taser in his shed.