The fire was started among leaves and debris that were near a gas box attached to the house, a court heard
Susan Plaxton admitted arson(Image: Hull Live)
A drunken Beverley woman started a fire outside a man’s home – very close to a gas box – in the early hours of the morning. She turned up outside the house and made “specific threats” to the man after seemingly holding a “grievance” about him.
Lives could have been put at risk because the fire was started so close to the gas box on the house, Hull Crown Court heard. Susan Plaxton, 49, of Riding Fields Square, Beverley, admitted arson, being reckless as to whether the lives of others were endangered, on April 1.
Giles Grant, prosecuting, said that, at about 1am, Plaxton went to the home of a man in Beverley while she was in a drunken state. “Neighbours were woken by shouting,” said Mr Grant.
Plaxton repeatedly shouted for the man to come outside. He heard shouting and threats but he did not go outside after feeling concerned and intimidated.
Plaxton shouted: “Open the door. I have got something to tell you.” She became increasingly angry and yelled: “I will kick your door in. I’ll start a fire.”
She threatened to urinate in the garden. The man heard the sound of a lighter being repeatedly flicked. Plaxton started a fire among leaves and debris – under a gas box attached to the house.
“The fire appeared to go out itself and did not damage the gas box,” said Mr Grant. The motivation for the incident seemed to be “revenge” because Plaxton made “specific threats” before lighting the fire.
“She was banging at the door and asking for a confrontation,” said Mr Grant. Plaxton was found nearby. She had two lighters on her and a craft knife-type box cutter.
Plaxton later told police that she had been drinking heavily. She accepted lighting the fire but claimed that she did so merely to keep warm because she was cold and shivering.
Plaxton did not realise that there was a gas box above where she started the fire. She had convictions between 1989 and last year, including for damaging property.
Hannah Turner, mitigating, said that no physical harm was caused and there was no actual damage because the fire was limited to the leaves. “Obviously, there is risk in any fire that is started,” said Miss Turner.
“This is a fire that has caused very little, if any, damage to the surrounding area where it was lit. There is no evidence of any damage being caused to the gas box or to the property by way of even smoke damage.
“It’s clear that the fire was extinguished of its own accord. The fire brigade was not called. There was very little, if any, risk of this fire spreading.”
Plaxton had dramatically cut down her drinking. She now drank only a few cans of cider. She had previously suffered difficulties.
Recorder Ayesha Smart told Plaxton: “Fortunately, the fire extinguished itself and did not damage the gas box. The results could have been much more serious.
“Starting that fire in this location created some risk. You were significantly intoxicated at the time. There appears to have been some degree of grievance between you and the victim.”
Plaxton was given a 16-month suspended prison sentence, with a probation requirement and nine months’ drug rehabilitation. “You clearly need to rid your life of alcohol and drugs,” said Recorder Smart.
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