Hospital order for woman cleared of killing her father in fire

A MENTALLY ill woman who killed her father in a house fire after her health deteriorated has been found not guilty of manslaughter by reason of insanity.

Emma Sadler started a blaze in the understairs cupboard at the endterrace house she shared with her 59-year-old father Robert.

She was sentenced to a hospital order under Sections 37 and 41 of the Mental Health Act following the verdict yesterday.

After the hearing, Detective Inspector Stuart Wales, of South Wales Police’s Major Crime Investigation team, said he hoped the family and friends of Mr Sadler had been given some comfort by the proceedings.

“This was a tragic incident which brought shock and sadness to the community,” he said. “This has been a very heartrending case and I want to pay tribute to the family of Mr Sadler, who have shown strength and fortitude since the tragic events of January 10, 2016, not to mention dignity during the trial.”

Cardiff Crown Court heard the 28-year-old had been showing increasing signs of mental illness, and in the days before the incident had been exhibiting “odd behaviour”.

The fire ripped through the rented house in Llanrumney, Cardiff, killing Mr Sadler – who was found lying on the floor of the upstairs bathroom fully clothed – and a pet dog.

The court heard Sadler, of Llanrumney Avenue, Llanrumney, Cardiff, who denied a single charge of manslaughter by reason of insanity, and her father were “close” and got on well together.