Rita Heyster jailed for Carol Jarvis murder cover-up

A woman convicted of helping her lover hide his murdered wife's body under the floorboards at a Lothian house has been jailed for four years and six months.An earlier trial heard that Rita Heyster, who lived in her lover's shed in Bathgate, helped Harry Jarvis cover up the murder of his wife Carol.Heyster was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh.Harry Jarvis, 61, is serving a life sentence after being convicted earlier this year of murdering his wife.A judge ordered him to serve at least 15 years before he can apply for parole.Heyster, 57, who had come from a wealthy background but had fallen on hard times, was said to be "besotted" with Jarvis and has continued to visit him in prison.Prosecutors said her devotion went as far as helping Jarvis hide the body of his 47-year-old wife.Heyster also pretended to be Jarvis's wife when police called looking for the missing woman.During Heyster's four-week trial, advocate depute Gary Allan QC, prosecuting, described Jarvis as "a manipulative monster".Det Insp Phil Gachagan, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "The length of sentence handed down to Rita Heyster reflects the serious nature of the part she played in attempting to disrupt the police investigation into Carol Jarvis's disappearance and murder."In helping Harry Jarvis conceal his wife's body under the floorboards, she showed a complete lack of compassion for Mrs Jarvis or the suffering her family would have to endure."It is my sincere hope that Carol Jarvis's loved ones take comfort from the sentence handed down today and can begin to move on with their lives."Rita Heyster, who was complicit in Harry Jarvis's manipulation and deceit must now live with the consequences of her actions as she begins her term behind bars." From / BBC