A WOMAN torched her own flat after getting into a slanging match with a fellow resident at a home for people with mental health problems.

As the fire burned, causing £17,000 of damage, Diane Horsfield said: “I’m sick of my flat and I’m going to let it burn.”

York Crown Court heard that Horsfield, 48, who suffers from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, started the fire by setting alight a canvas picture in her room at the Holgate House care home in York.

She has been jailed for three years and four months.

Prosecutor Nick Adlington said Horsfield had stormed back to her room after getting into an argument with a female patient who hit her. He said she began smashing up the picture then set fire to it and put a duvet on it, which in turn ignited.

Mr Adlington said Horsfield told a member of staff what she had done. The staff member evacuated the building and rang 999. Before firefighters arrived, senior carer Holly Cussons tried in vain to tackle the fire with an extinguisher.

The court heard that the damage to Horsfield’s bedsit was extensive but none of the other flats was affected. The Holgate Road care home, a large Victoria building, was left with a £17,000 repair bill following the incident at about 8pm on January 4.

York Press:

The Press was sent this photo in January, showing part of the damage to the outside of the flat

Horsfield was charged with arson and being reckless as to whether life would be endangered. She appeared for sentence via video link on Thursday after admitting the offence at an earlier hearing.

Mr Adlington said Horsfield had started fires twice before, but this was her first conviction for any offence.

Mark Partridge, for Horsfield, said he had been unable to get the required two recommendations from consultant psychiatrists for a hospital order to be made, which meant prison was the only option left.

Judge Tom Bayliss QC told Horsfield that although this was a “serious matter for the protection of the public”, he had to adhere to sentencing guidelines, which ruled out a hospital order. He said: "That comes as something of a surprise to me.” He said he considered her to be a danger to the public.