Woman tried to torch her own home as neighbour lay asleep in bed
A WOMAN deliberately set fire to her own home while her 87-year-old neighbour was in bed next door.
Sarah Ashford prised up the floorboards then stuffed newspapers, magazines and fabric under the floor of her bedroom before setting fire to them and walking out of the house along the street.
Sentencing her at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, Judge Peter Heywood said: “There could have been horrendous consequences.”
The incident happened in Oak Road on the Gurnos estate in Merthyr Tydfil on January 12.
James Evans, prosecuting, said the defendant was living in a two-bedroom semi-detached property.
The court heard Ashford had been drinking when she lifted the bedroom floorboards, put paper underneath, and set the fire.
Mr Evans said she left the house and neighbours saw her walking down the road, looking back.
He told the court an 87-year-old woman, who could not get out of bed, lived next door. Her daughter was visiting at the time.
Judge Heywood said: “Thankfully, she did not have to be evacuated.”
Prosecutors said the fire service attended quickly and Ashford was arrested when she tried to go back inside. When she was arrested, she told officers: “I wasn’t even there.” She then remained silent in her police interview.
Ashford, 23, from Oak Road, admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. She appeared via link from Eastwood Park Prison for the hearing.
Rebecca Griffiths, defending, said she had no previous convictions, adding: “She is very much struggling in the custodial setting.”
The court heard Ashford left a suicide note at the property.
Ms Griffiths said the care her client was receiving in prison was generalised and she would benefit from more specialised support. She is being monitored five times an hour.
Referring to a psychiatric report, Judge Heywood said: “Clearly she had significant mental health problems. There was an 87-year-old lady next door who could have been caught up had the fire spread.”
Ashford was jailed for 28 months.
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