Monday 18 July 2011

Firegirl Predicts Arson With Angst-Filled Message


A teenage girl updated her Facebook page with the words: "U either love someone or u hate them," minutes before starting four blazes inside her boyfriend's flat - forcing her lover and his family to flee for their lives.


Rachel Sroka, 19, (pictured) wrote the chilling statement after a furious argument the night before and then started fires in a bathroom, bedroom, toilet and to a sofa.


"She was depressed about an argument she had the day before with her boyfriend about babies and set four fires around the house," prosecutor Mr. Andrew Ramsubhag told Croydon Crown Court today.


Sroka, of Clovelly Way, Orpington pleaded guilty to four counts of arson, reckless as to whether life was endangered, committed at nearby Lenham House, Lamberhurst Close on January 20.


Boyfriend Darren Hodder, 27, and his father, 56, and mother, 52, raised the alarm after smoke began filing up the property early in the morning.


The fire brigade successfully extinguished the 8:50am blaze and immediately suspected on the occupants started it deliberately.


"Darren told police he suspected Rachel started the fires," added Mr. Ramsubhag. "She denied it initially, but then admitted the offence, saying she was depressed and suicidal at the time."


The first-time offender, who has spent the last three months at a medium secure mental health unit, claims to hear voices and self-harmed last month.


Doctors recommended treatment should continue for Sroka's own health and safety and the protection of others.


Judge Heather Baucher agreed, making a Section 37 Hospital Order for the defendant to continue receiving treatment at the Bracton Centre, Dartford.


"You set fire to a bathroom a bedroom a toilet and a sofa," the judge told Sroka. "All this required the fire brigade who were certain it had been started by one of the occupants."

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