THE family of 69-year-old Janet Mason says she was "robbed of her golden years" after being stabbed to death by her daughter.

Jessica Crane showed no emotion as she was handed a life sentence and told she would spend a minimum 12-and-a-half years behind bars.

After a nine day trial a jury found Crane unanimously guilty of murder by plunging a carving 25cm blade into Mrs Mason's back and through her heart at the victim's mother's address in Green Lane, Worcester on March 9 last year.

During sentencing a victim personal statement was read out in which members of Mrs Mason's family paid tribute to her.

Shane Ingram said: "I miss her incredible love for others and her support in times of need.

"My mother never got to see the arrival of my second daughter.

"Janet was robbed of her golden years with her family. My mother's passing should have been peaceful, surrounded by her loving family years from now.

"For her to have been killed in such a barbaric way was cruel."

Mick Ingram said: "Mum was a constant source of joy. She had her own life, and so much left to live.

"Hearing what happened to her, her last moments at the hands of her own daughter, has been incredibly difficult.

"I believe there will be a time the memory of my mum will not be tainted by the way she died."

The family also wrote an emotional poem that was read out by prosecutor Richard Atkins QC which included the line: "The pain of your passing will never go away, the pain I must live with every day."

The statement said the pain was not just being felt by the family but Mrs Mason's community of which she was described as a "core member."

Judge James Burbidge QC, the Honorary Recorder of Worcester, also heard the victim's mother Edith Cockell, 91 - who Crane had lived with - had been forced to move into a care home and three dogs Mrs Mason cared for also rehomed - this being called further pain by the family.

The jury heard Mrs Mason was stabbed in the kitchen before stumbling to an armchair where she collapsed.

In sentencing Richard Atkins QC said there had been "significant" planning of the murder pointing to a notebook entry "Dark thoughts. Hurt my mother."

Rachel Brand QC, defending, said the stabbing had been a “solitary wound” and Crane 50, of Hillside Close, Worcester, had been suicidal at the time, revealing she had made attempts to take her life since the murder.

But the judge rejected much of the defence, saying Crane was "self obsessed" as he jailed her.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector David Knight, from West Mercia Police, said: “This is a sad case which understandably has been devastating for Janet’s family. I’m pleased that justice has been done and the family now have some closure."