Drunk Woman Jailed After Burning House
7 April 2014, 12:30 | Updated: 7 April 2014, 12:45
A woman from Leighton Buzzard, who started a fire in her home and then sat in the garden drinking so she could watch the flames, has been jailed for 18 months.
Yvonne Silvester, of Meadow Way, caused the fire after going on a drinking binge and dropping her cigarette on her sofa.
Luton Crown Court was told her heavy drinking had started because of an abusive relationship she was in.
During the fire last September, she lost cherished possessions, including photos of her dead parents.
On Friday, Silvester appeared before the Court to face sentencing on a charge of arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
On September 24 2013, Silvester had destroyed her property by fire and but the court heard her lodger was upstairs in his room when he became aware of a fire downstairs.
The judged her for 18 months, but due to the period of time she's spent in custody on remand, she will be free within the next 2 months.