A WOMAN who 'recklessly' started a fire at her council house home has been convicted.
Alice Robinson was found guilty at the end of her trial today of one count of arson reckless as to whether life was endangered.
The 28-year-old of Aldrich Road in Sunnymead, north Oxford, was cleared by a jury at Oxford Crown Court of another count of arson with intent to endanger life.
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The offence arose from a single incident of arson which took place at her home address in Oxford on the night of December 3 last year.
During the trial – which began last week – prosecutors told jurors that a witness had claimed that Robinson began 'lighting' deodorant and a hair spray while in her first floor bedsit.
Another eye-witness, prosecutors said, heard a 'big explosion' from the first floor window.
Four fire crews attended the blaze at the home and investigators went on to assess the scene.
One witness who took to the witness box, Robert Speakman from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said the most likely cause of the blaze was 'deliberate ignition.'
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After Robinson was interviewed by police, prosecutors said, she gave a 'prepared statement', outlining her position, stating she had been 'very drunk' and she didn't know how the fire started.
Yesterday, as the trial came to an end jurors took six hours and 19 minutes to find Robinson guilty of one of the two counts by a majority verdict.
After the verdict presiding Judge Nigel Daly ordered a psychiatric report to be prepared ahead of sentencing.
The case was adjourned for reports to be completed and Robinson will be sentenced at the same court on October 26.
She was remanded in custody to await that hearing.
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