A jilted girlfriend accused of torching her ex-lover's house has been acquitted, writes Karen Rosine.

Lucy Kionga's ex-boyfriend claimed she splashed petrol around his porch, lit a match and pushed it through the letterbox after discovering he had a new love.

But a jury at Oxford Crown Court yesterday found her not guilty of arson and being reckless as to whether life is endangered.

The 36-year-old was also found not guilty of an alternative charge of arson. She had denied both charges. Ms Kionga's ex-boyfriend mechanic Jimmy Gikory claimed she started the fire this January.

Mr Gikory and his new girlfriend Esther Mahushi were in the sitting room and heard a tapping noise and then saw flames licking up from around the porch. He managed to put the fire out, but the blaze caused £400 damage to the house in Banbury Road, Kidlington.

Ms Kionga, of Argyle Street, east Oxford, said she was devastated about the other woman. She said she had visited the house to talk to Mr Gikory about the situation and the fire which resulted was an accident. She said her and Mr Gikory were arguing heatedly. There was a struggle and she claimed a petrol canister in the porch was knocked over, spilling petrol.

The court heard matches were found in the porch and there were signs of spilt petrol. Forensic tests on Ms Kionga's clothes showed no traces of petrol.

Story date: Friday 30 April

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