Woman set fire to her own kitchen

A WOMAN set a fire in her kitchen before refusing to let police officers inside, a court heard. Courtney Roberts set fire to cardboard in her kitchen but refused to let police into her ground floor property.

- By DAVID POWELL Daily Post Reporter [e-mail]

The court heard she had been 'in the throes of a mental disorder' and had wanted to self harm. Officers forced open the back door of the property, and extinguished the flames.

Roberts, 33, of Siliwen, Bangor, admitted causing arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. A judge at Caernarfon Crown Court yesterday gave Roberts an eight-month jail term, suspended for 18 months. She must go on a mental health treatment programme for six months.

Prosecutor Catherine Elvin said someone banged on Roberts' window and was verbally abusive early in the morning on March 23 last year. Police attended. Later at 2.01am, Roberts rang 999 saying she wanted to 'burn her flat and herself alive,' said the prosecutor.