2015: ELSPETH BRIDGE JAILED FOR ARSON ATTACK ON DISABLED WOMAN'S HOME IN HORWICH
A woman who set fire to her neighbor’s flat door in an attempt to 'teach her a lesson' following an argument was sentenced to five years in prison.Bolton Crown Court was informed that Elspeth Bridge rolled up wallpaper soaked in turpentine and pushed it into the letterbox of Sharon Turnbull’s home on Beatrice Mews, Horwich.
She then watched from her own residence across the street as the flames spread, while Miss Turnbull’s former partner doused the fire with bowls of water.
Prosecutor Brian McKenna explained that Miss Turnbull, who has mobility issues, lived alone on the first floor of a flat accessible via only one ground-floor entrance.
She often relied on assistance for mobility and was aided by 52-year-old Bridge, who previously helped with chores such as shopping.
According to Mr McKenna, a dispute arose between Bridge and Miss Turnbull’s mother regarding money, prompting Bridge to retaliate by arming herself with fire-starting materials.
Bridge admitted that her motive was anger and a desire to send a message, stating she did it to express her frustration.
On July 23, Miss Turnbull’s former partner and carer, Jamie Holden, was visiting her.
The two had fallen asleep on the sofa while watching television.
Later that night, at around 2:45 am, Holden was awakened by the smoke alarm blaring.
He investigated and discovered the front door was on fire.
Holden managed to extinguish the flames with four bowls of water, and emergency services intervened shortly after.
Police found rolled-up wallpaper with traces of turpentine fitted into the letterbox and matching materials at Bridge’s home, where she also showed officers the bottle of turpentine used to soak the paper.
The incident caused damage to Miss Turnbull’s door and smoke damage inside her flat, but no injuries occurred.
Bridge pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether lives were at risk.
Defence solicitor Ahmed Nadim highlighted that Bridge had a good character before this incident, but admitted she experienced distorted thinking during the event.
He emphasized that her intent was to frighten her neighbor, not to cause harm, and she was aware of the smoke alarm and had remained vigilant to call emergency services if needed.
Judge Graeme Smith sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment, describing her actions as “reckless in the extreme” and characterizing her motive as a “spontaneous act of misplaced anger and desire to teach a lesson.” The judge also noted that such behavior was wholly out of character for her.
