“I didn’t mean to do it": Woman, 26, set fire to her own flat whilst on FaceTime to family in cry for help

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A woman set a fire in her own flat whilst on FaceTime to her family in a cry for help.

Siobhan Houldsworth, 26, was speaking to her sister on Facebook when she set fire to a pile of clothes in her bedroom.

She suggested that her intention was to commit suicide, Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

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Emergency services quickly arrived, and found Houldsworth, of Stockport, on the balcony, before escorting her out.

Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire, but damage was caused to her flat, the flat below as well as the communal areas, costing between £15,000 and £25,000.

Houldsworth pleaded guilty to an offence of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered and was today (March 1) jailed for two years.

Prosecutor Alistair Reid told the court that on October 6 last year, Houldsworth was on FaceTime to her family and during that call, she set fire to a pile of clothes.

“She made a comment suggesting she was intended to commit suicide,” he said.

“While the fire grew bigger an eyewitness, and family friend, said they could see Houldsworth walking around in the flat before police officers attended.

“At 12.07pm, officers attended and had to force the front door to the block of flats, before going up to her flat.

“They found the defendant in the living room leaning out the balcony.”

Officers tried to speak to Houldsworth to get her to leave but she was obstructive and refused and had to be placed in handcuffs, the court heard.

There was a suggestion she was intoxicated and that her mental health was affected.

The other flats were evacuated and the fire was able to be extinguished.

When she was arrested, she