A HOMELESS woman who set fire to flats and derelict properties in Hereford has been jailed for three years.

Lynne Warren, aged 43, who pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court to two charges of arson and one of burglary, was said by her counsel, Dele Alakija, to have had a tough life and to have had 20 court appearances for 31 offences.

She had already been given a two-year community rehabilitation order at a previous court for setting fire to offices.

The first fire was at the boarded-up Greyfriars Hotel on December 27 last year. Joists and floorboards were damaged and she was watching when the fire brigade arrived, said John Evans, prosecuting.

Confessed

A day later, Warren broke into a house which was being renovated in Edgar Street. Minor damage was caused.

The second arson was more serious when Warren set fire to a flat at the converted Sportsman pub in Widemarsh Street. The occupant was out but other tenants were able to escape after smelling smoke. The flat was gutted causing £2,500 damage. Warren later confessed to police.

Mr Alakija said Warren had no underlying mental illness. She was a sad individual who would not have been in court but for her own admissions.

Recorder Roger Evans said it was fortunate that people were alerted at the flats complex and were able to escape uninjured.