TERESA SHELDON FROM DARTFORD RELEASSED AFTER FIRE TRAGEDY IN HURSLEY, HAMPSHIRE

In July 2021, a tragic case involving Teresa Sheldon from Dartford, Kent, took a disturbing turn as she was released from mental health care services after a series of devastating events that culminated in the death of her five-year-old son.

Sheldon, who had been detained under a hospital order since July 2015, was found guilty of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility for the death of her young son, Tommy. The heartbreaking incident occurred in August 2014 when Sheldon, then aged 38, deliberately set fire to her son’s vehicle, a silver Ford Fiesta, in Merdon Castle Lane, Hursley, Hampshire.

The tragic sequence of events began when Sheldon strapped her five-year-old son into the car before igniting the interior. She used a cigarette lighter to set the vehicle ablaze after pouring petrol from a can inside the car, leading to a catastrophic fire. The flames engulfed the vehicle, causing severe injuries to Tommy, who was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries two weeks later.

The incident drew significant legal attention, with Sheldon also pleading not guilty at Winchester Crown Court to the attempted murder of another individual. Due to legal restrictions, the identity of this second person remains confidential. It was reported that this individual managed to escape harm during the incident.

Despite her release from mental health services, the case remains a stark reminder of the tragic consequences of mental health crises and the importance of ongoing support and intervention. The community in Dartford and the wider Hampshire area continue to mourn the loss of young Tommy and await further developments regarding Sheldon’s case.