Woman jailed after burning down ex-partner's home

Stacey Hinks was jailed for four years and 10 months at York Crown Court

A woman who set a fire at her ex-boyfriend's house, which then spread and destroyed the homes of two elderly neighbours, has been jailed.

Stacey Hinks, 34, deliberately started the blaze at the terraced property on Springfield Grove in Boroughbridge while a 90-year-old woman slept in the adjoining house.

York Crown Court was told her ex-partner's home, along with all his belongings were destroyed, as well as "devastating damage" caused to the neighbouring properties.

In a victim impact statement read during her sentencing at York Crown Court, the 90-year-old told Hinks: "You will never understand the harm that you have done to me. Mentally, physically, financially and emotionally."

The court was told sentimental items, including ones from her late husband, were destroyed and she had been forced to leave her bungalow and move in with family in a different town.

Her statement said: "I hope that you can sleep on a night because I certainly can't. I will think about this for the rest of my life."

The court was told her ex-boyfriend had struggled cope as a result of what Hinks had done

Hinks, who pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered, was jailed for four years and 10 months on Monday.

After starting the fire on the evening of 15 May, the court was told she called her ex, who was not in the house at the time, to tell him what she had done.

Initially not believing her, he only realised what had happened when he began receiving calls from friends and family later that night to check he was OK.

All his possessions were lost in the fire, including irreplaceable sentimental items, and the court was told he was left with only the clothes he was wearing.

He said as a result of the stress from the fire, he had "struggled every day since".

Another neighbour, an 89-year-old woman, managed to escape from her burning home after she was alerted by other residents.

In a statement, she said: "Since you burnt my bungalow down, I have lost everything that I own.

"I have lost mementos to my late husband and son; all of my memories and belongings are gone."

Speaking after the sentencing, Det Con Karen Everitt said Hinks's actions had "devastated the lives of three innocent people".

"Her ex-partner and his neighbours lost everything, their homes, their belongings, and precious memories. The emotional toll has been immense."

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