THE FAMILY of Catherine Wells-Burr who was murdered in a ‘cold-blooded’ life insurance scam have spoken of their relief after learning two of her killers will stay in the UK to serve their sentence.

Rafal Nowak, Anna Lagwinowicz and Tadeusz Dmytryszyn were all sentenced to 32 years in prison after being found guilty of murdering Miss Wells-Burr 23, at her home in Chard in September 2012.

During a six week trial at Bristol Crown Court in June 2013, the jury heard Nowak, Miss Wells-Burr’s boyfriend, had smothered her with a pillow as she lay in bed, before Lagwinowicz and Dmytryszyn dumped her body in a car at a local beauty spot, then set the vehicle alight.

Nowak was granted permission to serve the majority of his sentence in his native Poland, to the dismay of the Wells-Burr family.

Dmytryszyn and Lagwinowicz had also applied to return to their homeland, but it is understood the Ministry of Justice has rejected their applications, meaning they will now serve the sentence in the UK.

The family campaigned long and hard to ensure they remained in the UK, and spoke of their relief at the decision.

Miss Wells-Burr’s family – mother Jayne, father Phil and sister Leanne – said in a statement: “We would like to thank everyone who helped and supported us with our campaign to keep ensure our beautiful Catherine’s murderers serve their full minimum 32 years sentence before even being considered or eligible for parole.

“Without the support for our petition and help from our MP, the Right Hon David Laws, who made it possible for us to meet justice minsters to express our concerns.

“There was a strong possibility for all three of Catherine’s killers going back to Poland to serve a lower reduced sentence for their heinous crime which they all committed together.

“We are pleased that now after many years of continuous campaigning the Ministry of Justice has reached its final decision on all three of Catherine’s cold blooded killers who were calculating, scheming and cruel.

“All three will serve their maximum 32-year tariff that Justice Sharp sentenced them to at Bristol Crown Court on June 10, 2013, i Britain or in Poland.”

Miss Wells-Burr’s murder rocked the community.

During the trial the jury heard how the trio murdered Miss Wells-Burr to claim a six-figure life insurance policy.

During the trial at Bristol, Mrs Justice Sharp told the trio they had committed a ‘dreadful, pitiless crime committed in cold blood”.

The family statement added: “We were disappointed when one of them was sent back to Poland to serve his sentence as we will have no further participation in the probation process or any contribution in his parole hearing.

“We can only hope that Poland will honour the agreement, making sure this dangerous man will never be released to commit further crimes against women which he had done in both countries.

“Although nothing will make the pain go from our hearts from losing our beautiful Catherine who was a bright, bubbly, witty, loving, and caring, who was loved by so many, a huge weight and worry has been lifted from us.”

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said the department did not comment on individual cases.