Newbury arsonist Emma West jailed for torching Burghfield Common flats
AN arsonist who torched her flat while high on cocaine and cannabis has been jailed.
Emma West risked the lives of fellow Sovereign Housing tenants when she reportedly suffered a “perfect storm” of a mental breakdown.
At Reading Crown Court on Monday, August 12, West - formerly of Fountain Gardens, off Ashridge Court, Newbury - appeared for sentencing.
She had admitted committing arson on Saturday, June 1 and has previous convictions for 35 offences including assault, criminal damage and disorderly behaviour.
Jack Preece, prosecuting, said 34-year-old West had called South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) to inform them she intended to kill herself and was setting fire to her Sovereign Housing flat in Holmdene, Burghfield Common.
A SCAS telephonist could hear a fire alarm triggered even as they spoke, he added.
But before the fire could spread to other tenants’ homes, West saved herself and had to be treated for smoke inhalation, the court heard.
SCAS had meanwhile alerted the fire brigade and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and equipped with a hose reel jet had to enter the building to extinguish the blaze, which was beginning to spread.
During a subsequent interview with police, the court was told, West was accompanied by her solicitor and gave a largely “no comment” interview, although she did express regret in a prepared statement.
A victim impact statement written by one of the other flat residents said: “If she’s capable of doing this, what will she do next?
“I’m scared and no longer feel safe in my home.
“She could have murdered us…we’re powered by gas and there could have been an explosion.”
Mr Preece said the Class A controlled drug, cocaine, plus the Class B controlled drug, cannabis, were in her system at the time.
Josh Bibby, defending, pleaded with the judge to suspend any prison sentence.
He said his client suffered from bipolar disorder and was willing to undergo treatment in the community.
Mr Bibby pointed out that it was West herself who had called the fire brigade, thereby potentially averting a tragic outcome.
He said his client had suffered mental health issues, sleep deprivation and illegal drug use and stressed that an immediate custodial sentence would only exacerbate West’s woes.
Judge Kirsty Real acknowledged that a probation report concluded the above elements represented a “perfect storm” for West.
But she added: “I consider this is so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence can be justified.
“You are susceptible to relapse in the community.
“In my judgement you pose a high risk of serious harm that will need to be managed upon your release.”
Judge Real sentenced West to 30 months imprisonment, 40 per cent of which will be spent behind bars and the remainder on licence in the community.
No order for costs was made because of her lack of means to pay.
Anyone seeking support can contact the following organisations:
Eight Bells for Mental Health: www.eightbellsnewbury.co.uk – call 07387 962220 – email coordinator@eightbellsnewbury.co.uk
You can visit www.recoveryinmind.org and find a number of resources to help you look after your mental health.
Mental Health Crisis Team – call if you need urgent help, but it’s not an emergency 0300 365 0300 or 0300 365 9999
Sane Line – www.sane.org.uk – call 0300 304 7000
Childline: www.childline.org.uk – 0800 1111
Mind: www.mind.org.uk – 0300 123 3393 or text 86463
The Samaritans: www.samaritans.org – call 116 123 – email jo@samaritans.org
