A woman has been told she is facing a possible jail sentence for burning down her former partner's house
More than £100,000 of damage was caused in the fire and a court also heard how the house next door was filled with smoke during the incident.
Patricia Mason denied deliberately starting the fire in the four-bedroom house in Braintree, after a row with her partner but was convicted by a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court.
The 50-year-old, of Wantz Road, Maldon was also convicted on another charge of reckless arson involving the house next door.
Judge Chris Ball QC adjourned sentence for reports and bailed Mason but the judge told her she was facing a prison sentence.
The trial heard how 50-year-old Mason was seen by a neighbour shortly after the fire in Rana Drive started.
Earlier, she said she had thrown her partner's passport on the fire and this may have fallen out and set fire to a rug. She denied starting the fire deliberately.
Published Friday, September 24, 2004
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