Arson woman wanted to die with her husband

Emma-Jane Brown, 31, set fire to her sofa with the aim of going upstairs and climbing into bed with her husband as the fire destroyed their home.

The incident happened at Brown's former home in Kingsland Terrace, Leeman Road, York, on June 16.

Although much of the detail of the incident was read by magistrates, and not disclosed in open court, it emerged that Brown had been enduring a time of "enormous uncertainty and turbulence".

After starting the fire, she apparently had a change of heart, and began screaming. Her husband was woken by the noise, and came downstairs to try to fight the fire.

Eventually he had to give up, and both left the house.

Mr Brown was taken to York District Hospital, suffering from the effects of smoke, but was later discharged unharmed. Brown herself also escaped injury.

Brown, whose current address was given as Cuthbert House bail hostel, in Gateshead, pleaded guilty to one charge of arson.

Prosecuting, Valerie McMinn said: "Police, fire and ambulance services were called to the home address, where a house fire was in progress.

"Police officers spoke to Mrs Brown, who was in an extremely distressed state and crying.

"She informed them immediately that she had set fire to the sofa with the intention of lying down with her husband so they would die together."

She said the damage to the house had in the end been "cosmetic".

The magistrates read a psychiatric report which had been prepared on Brown.

Defending, Craig Sutcliffe said the report contained information of a "very sensitive nature", and said Brown was trying to put her life back on track.

He said: "She has made great progress since the incident, and has moved to a bail hostel where she has gained employment and formed a relationship.

"She is anxious to accept any offer of help that is put her way."

Magistrates imposed a two-year community probation order at the bail hostel. She was also ordered to pay £60 costs.

Updated: 11:25 Tuesday, October 29, 2002