Mum sets fire to her home and claims 'it didn't feel like arson at the time'

A mum-of-three who used a can of petrol and paper to set fire to her home insisted it 'didn't feel like arson', a court has heard. Charlene Brown caused damage worth £2,400 after lighting a blaze in one of the rooms of her house.

Emergency services raced out to the scene and found Brown 'with her head in her hands' in a neighbour's living room. She reportedly told police she hoped to do a 'three-year stretch' behind bars.

But Brown walked free from court, Chronicle Live reports. South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court heard that Brown's home was already in 'substantial disarray' before the fire.

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Fire crews and the police were called and the 31-year-old was found in the living room of a neighbouring property. A subsequent investigation found that Brown deliberately started the fire using an accelerant and she had also by-passed her electricity meter.

James Long, prosecuting, said police were called to Brown's address by the fire brigade on January 31 this year. Mr Long added: "When police arrive, she's at a friend's house close-by.

"Officers fined her the living room of an adjoining property with her head in her hands. They ask her what's happened and she says she's set her house on fire."

The court heard that Brown was noted to say 'I hope I do a three-year stretch' and 'it didn't feel like arson at the time'. Mr Long continued: "There are pictures of the damage.

"The house, prior to the fire, was already in a substantial state of disarray. The fire itself was limited to one room. It had clearly got a hold in that area."

Magistrates were told that Brown had past convictions but hadn't been in trouble for five years. They also heard that Brown does take crack-cocaine and alcohol, although isn't 'addicted'.

Paul Dunn, defending, said Brown had acted in desperation after being past from 'pillar to post' when trying to get help with her mental health issues. Mr Dunn said: "Her situation has now improved for her and she seems to be coping better than she was."

Brown, of Delaval Terrace, Blyth, Northumberland, was given an 18-month community order after she pleaded guilty to arson and abstracting electricity without authority. As well as the community order, Brown must also pay £400 compensation to Northumberland County Council.