'Vigilante' arsonist set fire to flat of innocent man whom she wrongly believed was a paedophile

Ashleigh Stephenson had spent the day consuming drugs and alcohol with a friend who lived a few doors down from their victim on Keats Walk in Gateshead, in October 2023. Newcastle Crown Court heard it was the 30-year-old's pal who "planted" the notion in her head that the man was a pervert.

As a result, she attended his property and set light to some paper which she posted through the letterbox. Thankfully the man was not home at the time and the fire alarm was activated which prompted the arrival of the fire brigade.

The door was damaged at the cost of around £800 and Stephenson, who repeatedly interrupted the hearing from the dock and has previous convictions, was arrested. She pleaded guilty to committing reckless arson and was sentenced to eight months suspended for two years.

Judge Graeme Robinson told Stephenson: "You spent the afternoon with (your friend) drinking, taking drugs, and I'm entirely satisfied having read all the materials in this case it was (your friend) that planted the idea in your mind the belief that the gentleman was a paedophile.

"Vigilantes cause more harm than good. Vigilante justice is no justice at all and nearly always misses and gets the wrong target. But even if there was anything in it and there's nothing to suggest there is in the allegations made by (your friend) to you, it doesn't justify setting fire to the home where the person lives but that's exactly what you did."

The court heard CCTV footage captured from the scene showed Stephenson and her pal post some paper through the letterbox, doused in nail polish, which was set alight by a match. Judge Robinson added: "Fortunately, damage was limited. The fire alarm went off and the fire brigade were called and they came really quick to put the fire out."

The court heard Stephenson was subject to a suspended sentence order at the time but the judge acknowledged sending her to prison would not best serve the public. Jonathan Cousins, mitigating, said: "The defendant in my respectful submission is in her own way quite vulnerable."

Mr Cousins said Stephenson had a poor upbringing and was bullied growing up. He added she was remorseful for her actions.