Australia’s gangland widow, Judy Moran, jailed for hit

One of the key players in Australia’s gangland wars that inspired the hit TV and book series, Underbelly — Judy Moran — has been jailed for 26 years.

Moran — who had two sons and two partners murdered in Victoria's so-called gangland wars — was sentenced Wednesday for the public slaying of her brother-in-law, Des "Tuppence" Moran.

The 66-year-old, who has ailing health, received a minimum of 21 years.

Moran has osteoarthritis in both knees and a degenerative condition in her left hip, and is expected to die in jail.

The judge called the crime an appalling murder, in the manner it was carried out and in its public nature, and said Moran had shown no remorse.

Des Moran was shot seven times at a cafe in the Melbourne suburb of Ascot Vale in 2009.

Moran disputed with the judge’s findings, calling from the dock: "Sir, you are wrong. I am innocent."

However, Moran had admitted that she did not like Des Moran, who had once smashed a bottle over her head.

The court ruled that Gunman Geoffrey "Nutts" Armour shot Des Moran on orders from Judy Moran. Armour was sentenced to 26 years in jail for pulling the trigger.

Judy Moran’s life has been profoundly intertwined with Melbourne’s gangland killings.

Two of her sons and two partners were murdered in the gangland wars.

The judge said that, until the killings, Moran had been a person of good character despite "what was going on around you."

"At your age every year [of a jail sentence] represents a substantial part of your remaining life," he said.