A homeless drunk who murdered two of his closest friends in a jealous rage was today given a life sentence.

James Cox laughed as he was led away from the dock at Oxford Crown Court after being told he would serve a minimum of 20 years behind bars.

The 63-year-old killed his girlfriend Sian Sanchez and his friend Howard Blake in a fit of jealousy by torching the derelict cottage where they were both sleeping as squatters.

Cox was convicted of two charges of murder after a trial at the court in April, when the jury heard he started the blaze after Mr Blake turned up at Redbridge Cottage in Old Abingdon Road, Oxford, and forced him out.

Stephen Mejzner, defending, said Cox had no recollection of starting the house fire in January 2007.

He said: "It is clear he was extremely drunk that night. This is not a case of premeditation."

He added Cox had returned to the scene to alert neighbours and the emergency services, adding: "It is clear Mr Cox was in a particularly desperate position, living rough on the streets of Oxford and dependent on alcohol, with his health deteriorating."

Handing him a life sentence, Judge Anthony King said: "You deliberately set the fire inside the house at the foot of the only staircase, which was the only means of escape for the two people on the first floor."

Cox had refused to take the stand during the trial, but the court heard he had told paramedics he would "get his own back" on Mr Blake and Mrs Sanchez.

He made a hoax 999 call to police claiming Mrs Sanchez was being raped by Mr Blake before being caught on nearby CCTV cameras around the time of the fire.

Speaking after the case, Det Supt Rob Mason said: "It is a tragic case. All three people involved have had difficulties in their life that led them to become dependent on alcohol.

"That given, it does not excuse James Cox's actions in what can only be described as a fit of complete jealousy in starting the fire at the foot of the stairwell, closing off the only route of escape for the two people he knew were in there.

"Both the victims have got families that we have been in contact with throughout these proceedings. We hope this provides some comfort for the loss of their loved ones."

Mother-of-eight Mrs Sanchez, 36, was born in Oxford and moved to the United States at 14, but was later deported to England and ended up living rough.

Former window cleaner Howard Blake, 51, was born in Norwich, but his family originated from Dublin.

He leaves a son, Anthony, 13, who lives with his mother.

Speaking outside court, Mrs Sanchez's two cousins Donna Tomkins, 20, and Sam Agutter, 25, welcomed the sentence.

Miss Tomkins, of Blackbird Leys, said: "It has been really, really hard. We miss her all the time. We do think justice has been done. I hate him. He has taken a mum away, a sister away, an auntie, friend and cousin."