A WOMAN who started a blaze at her home in Penhill has been told she will not face a jail sentence after admitting arson.

Maureen Baden was told by a judge that he wanted the probation service to compile a package of care for her in the community after reading reports on her situation.

The 53-year-old started a fire at her home in Shrewton Walk, on Thursday, June 19 last year.

And when she appeared at Swindon Crown Court Baden pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Paul Orton, defending, said that Baden needed help rather than to be sent to prison.

He said that his client's husband of 25 years was in court and knew about the offence.

He said that only a chair had been damaged in the incident and that it was mostly smoke damage.

"Reading the psychiatric report I find it inconceivable that she would be sent to prison," he told the court.

"My feeling is if she goes around thinking that she is going to have to go to prison then it is not going to help."

Adjourning the case for further reports to be compiled Judge John McNaught told Baden he was not considering a custodial sentence.

He said: "I do not think this is an appropriate case for a prison sentence.

"Other options are open, though I don't know what the probation service has by way of a care package.

"I want the probation service to make a report about you to see what they might do in the way of help.

"I am going to deal with it in a month's time and I do not have in mind a prison sentence.

"I hope you are not going to let me down."

Baden was released on bail.