Woman who tried to set fire to a family home while two young children were inside is jailed for six years

A woman who tried to set fire to a family home using petrol stolen from a nearby garage while two young children were inside has been jailed for six years.

Talisa Windsor, 30, was caught on CCTV at around 6.30am pouring 3.7 litres of petrol – which she stole earlier that morning - around the front door of a property in Hove, East Sussex.

She tried to set the petrol alight by filling a broken bottle with petrol and tissue and throwing it at the door - but it did not ignite and she was seen in doorbell footage angrily throwing the bottle at the floor.

The defendant - who had sent death threats to the family before the attack last 11 May - also tried to throw a brick through a front window, police said.

Police called after Windsor seen filling bottle with petrol

Cops were called after members of the public reported smelling petrol and Windsor was seen filling the bottle with petrol at a nearby garage.

She was soon arrested while officers visited the house to check on the intended victims, who had escaped the building.

Windsor was also caught on CCTV stealing the petrol and carrying out the attack.

Detectives then discovered Windsor sent a string of threatening messages and death threats to the occupants of the house, in the days leading up to the attack.

Windsor was charged with attempted arson with intent to endanger life, remanded in custody.

In October she was found guilty by a jury of attempted arson reckless as to endangering life.

‘Extremely disturbing incident’

Appearing at Chichester Crown Court Windsor was jailed for six years, including a further three on extended licence.

DC Rose Horan, investigating officer for Sussex Police, said today (Wed) said it was lucky no one was killed in the incident.

She added: “This was an extremely disturbing incident which threatened the lives of a family with two young children, who were inside the house when Talisa Windsor attempted to set it alight.

“CCTV showed that the cigarette lighter did ignite, so it was extremely lucky that the 3.7L of petrol around the front door did not go up in flames. Had that happened, we could have been looking at a tragic outcome.

“Nonetheless, his Honour Judge Trimmer found Windsor met the criteria for a dangerous offender and passed an extended sentence.

“I would like to thank the victims, witnesses and everybody who supported the investigation for their help in bringing a dangerous individual to justice.”

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