Judge jails 'cold-hearted' murderer

A Victorian woman who murdered her partner by drugging him and setting his house on fire has been sentenced to 24 years in jail.

Vasiliki Efandis showed little emotion as she was jailed for the murder of George Marchetta at Bellfield in 2004.

The Victorian Supreme Court heard Efandis, aged in her late fifties, was motivated by greed, as she became close to her victim, and gained control of his assets.

The Court heard on the night of the murder she cooked her victim's favourite meal, laced it with a sedative, and later set his house on fire using almost 30 litres of kerosene.

A jury found Efandis guilty of one count of murder.

In sentencing, Justice Stephen Kaye said the crime was cold-hearted and merciless.

Efandis will serve a non-parole period of 20 years.