A Leeds Crown Court judge described Hill's attack on 73-year-old Mrs Wright at her bungalow in Redhill Gardens, Castleford as "pitiless".

After the sentencing hearing Hill's solicitor Rob Casey read a statement: "The family of David Hill remain fully supportive of him and are absolutely confident he is not guilty of this offence despite the jury's verdict.

"They know David better than anyone, and know better than anyone his relationship with Molly Wright. He is a caring, loving and well loved husband to Maxine and father to their two boys.

"Both the daughters of Molly Wright continue to have full confidence in him and stand by him."

Mr Casey said Hill's solicitors are considering launching an appeal and are looking at what areas of the investigation can be pursued.

Sentencing Hill, Mr Justice Simon told him: "Evidence from the pathologist is that she was struck 15 substantial blows. The distribution of blood in the living room and kitchen and defensive injuries to her hands indicated the attack took place over a number of minutes and that it was pitiless.

"The killing of this elderly woman living alone in these circumstances caused widespread shock. The fact that it was you, her son-in-law, who killed her makes it very much worse for her and your family."

Hill, 48, of Lakeside Meadows, Pontefract ran a toy and greeting card stall with Mrs Wright on Castleford market.

She had suffered mental illness and accused him of having affairs and he was £20,000 in debt and syphoning money from their joint business account.

Mr Justice Simon told Hill: "How you came to commit this crime is not easy to determine. You are normally a mild-mannered man, you are part of a close and loving family. There is also evidence that she could be difficult and also evidence of her deteriorating mental condition which you sought to exploit in your evidence.

"It appears she became suspicious wrongly about your relationship with your wife Maxine. There was clear evidence before the jury you were taking money from the business you ran in partnership with her in Castleford market.

"It is very likely she discovered this and objected strongly to it.
"There is compelling evidence that in order to conceal your drawings you sent forged bank statements and presented false versions to her.

"It's likely that she discovered this and threatened you in some way. Whatever the nature of those threats, whether they were threats in relation to inheritance of John Wright's estate on which you were dependent to satisfy your large credit card debts, or whether the threats were to your domestic happiness, something caused you suddenly to lose your self control and caused you to beat her to death."

A jury unanimously convicted Hill of murder on Monday after a trial lasting more than four weeks.