Arsonist spared more jail time due to mental health

A WOMAN who started a fire at a block of New Forest District Council flats has been told she will not have to spend more time in custody.

Judge Gary Burrell took pity on Sian Ward (33) when she appeared at Southampton Crown Court, noting her poor mental health at the time of the crime.

“This was obviously a very serious offence, because you could have killed someone, or seriously injured them or yourself,” he said. “At the time you obviously had mental health problems. It was an impulsive thing to do.”

Ward, who has no previous convictions, set fire to a living room at the flats, in Rumbridge Street, Totton – where she was living – on 9th March this year, the court heard.

Firefighters from Totton, Redbridge and St Mary’s were called to the scene shortly after 8.30am and spent nearly an hour battling flames.

A South Central Ambulance Service hazardous area response team was among the paramedics dispatched to the scene. Five people were assessed, with one woman taken by ambulance to Southampton General Hospital.

By the time the emergency had been contained, the flat’s living room was badly burnt and there was smoke damage to the rest of the building.

Ward was arrested and remanded in custody around eight months ago, where she had remained since.

Defence barrister Richard Tutt said Ward had been offered alternative accommodation for a temporary period of two months outside the New Forest area.

Judge Burrell noted she had addressed her drug addiction while in jail, and her mental health had improved.

He gave the defendant – who had pleaded guilty to criminal damage and arson – a three-year community order, which includes a rehabilitation programme.