A NEWPORT woman has been jailed for three-and-a-half years after setting fire to the letterbox of a vulnerable adult’s flat.

Sheron Nichols, 54, of Itchen Road, Bettws, had entered a late guilty plea to a charge of damaging property with intent to recklessly endanger life.

She appeared in Cardiff Crown Court today via a video link for sentencing.

Nicholas Gareth Jones, prosecuting, said that Nichols had accused her neighbour, Christopher Edwards, of being a “grass” after he complained to the council about litter left in and around their block of flats.

The court heard Nichols shouted abuse at the 40-year-old, who suffers from epilepsy, and said she would "get him" after his letter.

On April 26 of last year, Nichols set fire to Mr Edwards’ flat by pushing lighter fuel through his letter box and setting it alight, leaving him trapped.

Mr Edwards was rescued by emergency services and was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital and received treatment for smoke inhalation.

He spent seven days at the hospital and has since suffered “psychological” trauma, including flashbacks, relating to the incident.

Damages to the sheltered accommodation reportedly cost around £59,000.

The court heard that Nichols, who has no previous convictions, was drunk while carrying out the attack.

James Evans, mitigating, said that his client had been struggling with alcoholism at the time of the offence and that she admitted to “being reckless”.

"A sober Sheron Nichols would not have committed the offence that she did commit," he said.

“It’s not clear quite how the fire got to the point that it did and it’s unfortunate that my client is not able to assist in that.

“At 54 years of age she has no previous convictions and has good character. She is at no risk of committing further offences.

He added: “She will be homeless upon her release and she will have to accept that at this stage in her life it is not easy to pick up and start again.”

Before passing the 42-month sentence, Judge David Wynn Morgan said that Nichols had inflicted “physical and psychological injuries” to a vulnerable individual.

He said: “The attack on him was deliberate, vindictive and it was wicked. Not only did it damage his accommodation, it also severely damaged his life.

“It’s difficult to imagine the level of stress he must’ve endured when he was trapped in his flat.

“You gave not thought into the danger that you put him in. The fact that you were drunk makes it worse.

Judge Wynn Morgan added: “The attack cost the council and the taxpayers some £59,000 for an act of wanton evil.”