A WOMAN who started two fires within nine days at her terraced home in Kidderminster has been jailed for six years at Worcester Crown Court.

Judge Michael Mott described 46-year-old Sheila Breakwell as a "highly disturbed" woman who endangered neighbours and regularly committed crime.

He ordered that Breakwell, of East Street, should be regularly monitored on licence for four years after being released from prison. She admitted arson and arson as to being reckless whether damage would be caused.

The fire brigade was called to Breakwell's home on September 4 and 13 last year. On the first occasion, neighbours saw her setting fire to a wheelie bin at her back door at 11 o'clock at night.

Candles

She had three candles and a cigarette lighter. She had a vacant stare and was seen to feed the fire, said Simon Phillips, prosecuting.

She was bailed after being arrested and on September 13 black smoke was seen coming from her house at 10.55pm. Fire officers persuaded her to leave the house and found a small fire in the cellar.

Mr Phillips said Breakwell claimed she had been trying to put out the fire but the water in the house had been turned off.

She had convictions dating back to 1991 and these included violence to police and destroying property.

Defence counsel Yash Mehey said she had been unwell for 20 years but had improved after treatment.