An arsonist who set fire to her own bungalow in Northumberland, causing £140,000 of damage, has been jailed for 40 months. Stephany Henderson, 33, torched her mattress after saying she'd "had a bad day", putting neighbours' lives at risk, including a man with severe mobility problems.
Fire spread to neighbouring home
Henderson was living in a semi-detached bungalow on Hallington Drive, Seaton Delaval. A couple lived in the adjoining property, and the husband requires a walking frame and mobility scooter to get around, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
The woman said having Henderson as a neighbour for around 18 months had been a "nightmare", citing a constant smell of cannabis and verbal abuse towards them and other neighbours.
Just after midnight on April 7 this year, the woman joined her husband in bed and was woken in the early hours by the smell of smoke. Seeing Henderson's bungalow on fire, she helped her husband flee the property.
Neighbour's distress and rescue attempt
Once outside, she saw Henderson "simply standing and simply watching the fire," prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw said. The woman became "extremely upset" as the fire spread across the roof of Henderson's home to her own.
After the woman called emergency services, Henderson ran off when the fire service arrived. The neighbour became "hysterical" and wanted to re-enter her bungalow to rescue her pet budgie.
When another neighbour asked Henderson what she had done, she admitted setting fire to her mattress. Asked why, she replied: "I've had a bad day." She later said she wanted to end her life.
Extensive damage and victim impact
The fire caused extensive damage to Henderson's bungalow, requiring removal of internal walls, floors, and the roof. The neighbouring home also suffered damage, including water damage. Total repair costs were £140,000, with a further £11,000 in rent and council tax.
The neighbours had to move into emergency accommodation temporarily. In a victim impact statement read in court, the woman said: "I've worked hard for everything in my home and it's been destroyed by someone's stupidity. It's massively affected my husband and it's had a knock on effect on my family."
In a more recent statement, she added: "I believe Stephany needs support. I worry she did it as a cry for help. She should be provided with the support she needs. Unfortunately she slipped through the net."
Sentencing and defence
Henderson, formerly of Hallington Drive, with no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. Tony Cornberg, defending, said Henderson has significant and long-standing mental health issues and didn't want to live anymore when she set the fire. He added that the thought of her children made her leave the burning bungalow, and said the consequences could have been tragic. Mr Cornberg added that Henderson wants to get a job in a vape factory because "vapes have got her through the last few months" in prison.
