WOMAN SET FIRE TO EX'S MOTORBIKE OUTSIDE HOME
A woman under the influence of alcohol recorded herself igniting her former partner’s motorbike as an act of revenge before sending the video to him and then fleeing the scene.The fire resulted in extensive damage after Shauna-Leigh Walker left the scene, and her actions led to approximately £35,000 in repair costs for her ex’s home in Brandon, County Durham.
During a court session at Durham Crown Court, it was revealed that Walker and the victim had recently ended their romantic relationship.
The victim only learned about the incident upon receiving the video of the fire on Thursday, February 26.
Authorities stated that Walker was found nearby and was subsequently detained and charged.
She faced a charge of arson, specifically being reckless as to whether lives were at risk or property was harmed.
In a plea hearing held in late March, Walker, aged 27 and residing on Ashdown Avenue in Gilesgate Moor, Durham, admitted to the offence.
The case was then postponed by Judge Nathan Adams to allow for a pre-sentence report prepared by the Probation Service.
On June 4, at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Adams sentenced Walker, acknowledging that she did not intend to cause such extensive damage.
However, he emphasized that the resulting destruction was significant, with repair costs set at around £35,000.
The judge said while the victim is dealing with an insurance company over the motorbike, he did not have household insurance.
“He’s doing all he can to repair it and has not been able to live there, living elsewhere on an interim basis, while he tries to fix the damage you have caused.” Judge Adams told Walker: “In this case it is aggravated as a revenge attack in a domestic context, contributed to by your use of alcohol.
“The only thing in your favour is your guilty plea.” Describing it as risking, “a major incident in a residential area”, he imposed a 40-month prison sentence.
The judge said he did not consider it appropriate to pass a suspended sentence and, due to the “serious nature” of the incident, only an immediate term of imprisonment could be justified.
He said the defendant can expect to serve up to half of the jail term in prison before being released on licence.
