South Yorkshire arsonist caused nearly £2,000 of damage after she torched her flat

Sheffield Crown Court heard how Joy Harrison, aged 58, set fire to her ground-floor flat on Belmont Avenue, Barnsley.

Beverley Wright, prosecuting, said: “She contacted the fire service and said she would set fire to her flat and she called again shortly afterwards and the flat was on fire.”

Mrs Wright added: “Two fire engines attended and forced entry to the premises because all entrances were locked.”

The court heard Harrison was rescued by the fire service who extinguished the blaze on April 4, 2019.

Mrs Wright added the fire was believed to have been started at night with paper used to set fire to curtains and the blaze – which caused nearly £2,000 of damage – could have spread.

Harrison, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to committing arson recklessly as to whether life would be endangered.

Mrs Wright confirmed empty bottles were found and Harrison may have been under the influence of something.

Richard Davies, defending, said Harrison saw it as a “cry for help”.

The defendant told police she did not know anything but during the hearing, she claimed the incident happened in daylight and that she only phoned the fire service once.

Judge Rachael Harrison said if the defendant lit the fire at night it would be of greater concern but if she phoned the fire service twice that places her in a better position for sentencing.

The case was adjourned until April 16 to confirm the timing and number of calls.