Resolven woman damaged £2,000 of former partner's property in New Year arson attack — (Llanelli Star)

Ceri Jenkins, 33, of Maes y Tyra, Resolven, admitted a charge of arson after she started a fire at the back of David Clayton’s home in Brynglas Avenue, Cwmavon.

She set fire to his mattress, kitchen table and chairs and clothes.

Swansea Crown Court heard Mr Clayton had gone to a party at his brother’s home but Jenkins had stayed in his house alone.

While there, Jenkins began sending him text messages.

In one she wrote: “There’s a nice fire that won’t take long to spread.” She also said if he returned home she would stop burning his belongings.

At 10.42pm, Mr Clayton became concerned and returned home. Jenkins tried to stop him getting inside but when he managed to he found the smoke alarms were hanging by their wires and his clothes, mattress, kitchen table and chairs were all missing.

He then locked her outside the house before returning to the party. Just before midnight, she sent him a text apologising.

The next day, Mr Clayton found scorch marks up the back of his property as well as damage to the windows, drain pipe and wall.

Robin Rouch, for Jenkins, said his client had struggled with drugs and on the night, she had taken antidepressants with alcohol. Mr Rouch said she had immediately shown remorse by apologising and offering to repay him for the items damaged.

He said she was no longer using drugs and hadn’t drunk alcohol to excess since this incident.

Judge Keith Thomas said he accepted she had been on a downward spiral and gave her an intensive alternative to custody order, lasting 18 months, including 200 hours of unpaid work and compensation £300.