Mum who used petrol can and paper to set fire to home says it 'didn't feel like arson'

Charlene Brown caused damage worth £2,400 after starting the fire in her house - and reportedly told police she was hoping to do a 'three-year stretch' behind bars

A mum-of-three who deliberately started a fire in her house using a can of petrol and paper insisted it "didn't feel like arson", a court has heard.

Charlene Brown, 31, caused damage worth £2,400 after sparking the blaze in one of the rooms in her house. Moments later, emergency services arrived on scene to find Brown "with her head in her hands" in a neighbour's living room. The mum then reportedly told police she hoped to do a "three-year stretch" in prison.

Brown instead walked free from South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court, where it was heard that her home was already in "substantial disarray" before the fire had broken out. An investigation later found that the mum had deliberately started the fire using an accelerant and also by-passed her electricity meter, Chronicle Live reports.

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 [found] her in 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 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 the mum-of-three 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 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.