A WOMAN who had her husband killed to claim almost £500,000 in insurance money has failed to have her sentence changed.

Debt-ridden Christina Button encouraged her nephew, Simon Tannahill, to bludgeon George Button to death as he walked his dog.

Mr Button, described as "a kind and gentle man who had done nothing to deserve his terrible fate", died from a number of forceful blows to his head as he walked his pet down a dark lane at West Rainton, County Durham, on March 3, 2003.

Button, who had stolen more than £11,000 from an employer to pay debts in the past, hoped to make a £450,000 insurance claim after his death.

Button and Tannahill, who was said to be besotted by his aunt, gave each other alibis.

They were charged with Mr Button's murder and found guilty after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court in December 2003.

Both were sentenced to life imprisonment, and trial judge Mr Justice Simon Royce later made a recommendation to the Lord Chief Justice that Button should serve 14 years and Tannahill 13 years before they are eligible for parole.

Due to changes in the law under the Criminal Justice Act 2003, the judge was required to announce in court the minimum terms he considered appropriate.

Button had applied to have her minimum tariff reduced.

At the High Court sitting in Newcastle yesterday, Mr Justice Royce said: "I have considered the victim impact statements from George Button's family. I have also considered the representations from Christina Button contending that the minimum term should be less than the minimum term I recommended.

"I have come to the conclusion I should reject her contention. This was a wicked and evil murder, which she orchestrated."

He also rejected appeals made by Tannahill for his sentence to be changed, despite the fact he accepted Tannahill was "very much under the influence" of Button.

He said the minimum term for the pair will remain at 14 years for Button and 13 for Tannahill. Neither were present at the hearing yesterday.

Mr Button's brother, Fred, 60, was in court for the judgement.

Afterwards, he said; "The sentence should have been more. Life should mean life, especially for something as premeditated as this."