Women jailed for leaving lover to die

A woman who drugged her lover then left him to die in a burning house has been jailed for 24 years.

Vasiliki "Vicky" Efandis, 50, cooked George Marcetta his favourite meal of pork and noodles, lacing it with sleeping tablets, in 2004, the Victorian Supreme Court heard.

She then used kerosene and paper to light a fire at several points in his Bellfield house, including the bedroom where Mr Marcetta, 58, slept.

Justice Stephen Kaye said Efandis's crime was planned, cold blooded and remorseless.

He said she was motivated by greed and had abused Mr Marcetta's trust in the most "appalling way".

Justice Kaye said Efandis callously exploited his affection and attraction to her to gain control of his assets before his death.

Had the medication she drugged him with not worked quickly, he would have suffered a most terrifying end, he said.

Efandis had tried to set up a friend as a suspect in his murder, he said.

Justice Kaye said Efandis had suffered a series of accidents and she accepted the impact jail would have on her health.

He also said despite her financial motive in the crime, she would be largely destitute on release.

Efandis must serve a minimum of 20 years.