Domestic abuse victim set fire to bed while her violent ex-partner slept after subjecting her to drug-fuelled assault at her home in Leeds

Paige Tillotson contacted police and firefighters in "hysterics" moments later when she realised the potential catastrophic consequences of her actions.

Tillotson was given a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered over the incident at her former home in Seacroft.

A judge told Leeds Crown Court he was not imposing an immediate custodial sentence upon the 22-year-old due to "significant exceptional mitigating features" in the case.

George Hazel-Owram, prosecuting, said Tillotson had been in a relationship with a man who had been abusive towards her for a number of years before the incident.

The barrister said: "The relationship had been volatile and there is no dispute that he was abusive over a significant period of time.

"There were a number of incidents when police were called due to his behaviour.

"The police report states that he was always the suspect and she was the victim."

Tillotson committed the arson offence on December 11, 2018, soon after the relationship with the man broke down.

Mr Hazel-Owram said he contacted the defendant and asked if they could meet.

The prosecutor added: "By her own admission she said she had been drinking and allowed him to come to her address in Seacroft."

When he arrived at the property it was clear that he was under the influence of drink and drugs.

He was initially civil towards Tillotson but then became verbally and physically abusive and smashed up her television.

The arson took place after the man had fallen asleep on Tillotson's bed.

The defendant removed valuable items from the house into the garden.

She paced around the garden before returning to the property and used a lighter to set the duvet alright.

Tillotson left the house but dialled 999 moments later.

The prosecutor said: "In that call the defendant was clearly upset and hysterical."

She told an operator that she had set the bed alight and had tried to contact the man to wake him up.

Firefighters went to the house to find the man awake and uninjured.

He was surprised to see the emergency services and said he had put the fire out himself.

There was a burn mark about the size of a football on the duvet.

Police spoke to Tillotson and she admitted starting the fire.

She told officers: "I hope I have killed him. He has been abusive to me for years. Why haven't you locked him away?"

Tillotson later said in interview that the man had 'completely ruined her life'.

Tillotson was given a ten-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

She was also ordered to complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Judge Robin Mairs told Tillotson he was taking an "exceptional course" by not sending her to prison due to the background of physical and psychological suffering she had been subjected to.

The judge said:"The potential damage to the property and to life could have been catastrophic.

"Had that happened you would have been going to prison for a very long time."