Graham Heaps was a 44-year-old laborer from Liverpool, England, with a criminal history spanning three decades, primarily involving petty crimes and burglaries. He had been in a relationship with Linda Skelhorne, the aunt of three-year-old Francesca Bimpson. Following the end of their relationship, Heaps exhibited obsessive and harassing behavior towards Linda and her family, including sending obscene messages and making threatening phone calls. His actions escalated over time, culminating in a tragic act of revenge against the Bimpson family.

In the early hours of 2 December 2008, Graham Heaps carried out a calculated act of arson against the Bimpson family's home in Everton, Liverpool. Motivated by resentment over his failed relationship with Linda Skelhorne, Heaps poured petrol through the letterbox of the family's residence and ignited it, intending to harm the occupants. At the time, the household included Francesca Bimpson, her parents Kieron Bimpson and Eleanor Skelhorne, and her three siblings. 

While the rest of the family managed to escape the blaze, young Francesca was trapped in her bedroom. She was rescued by firefighters but suffered burns over 85% of her body and succumbed to her injuries on 23 December 2008.

Heaps was found at the scene with burns and was arrested while receiving treatment in the hospital. During his trial at Liverpool Crown Court, evidence revealed that Heaps had lied about his whereabouts on the night of the fire and had shown no remorse for his actions. On 7 December 2009, he was convicted of murder, and the following day, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 28 years.