Published at 12:40, Friday, 20 July 2012

A Workington mum has appeared in court accused of setting fire to her home while her two-year-old daughter was inside.

Deborah Donald

Deborah Ann Donald, 34, of Wastwater Avenue, appeared at West Cumbria Magistrates Court and also faced a charge of perverting the course of justice.

The court heard that she was accused of setting fire to the front door of her home, intending to endanger life or being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.

Prosecutor Jane Mackrill said the perverting the course of justice allegation is said to consist of Donald naming two other women who she said she believed were responsible for the fire.

Donald, wearing a yellow top and cream jacket, spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth and that she understood the proceedings during the half-hour hearing.

Donald was not asked to enter pleas during the hearing and her case was sent to Carlisle Crown Court, where she is due to appear on August 6.

The charges against her came after firefighters were called to her semi-detached house, owned by Derwent & Solway Housing Association, just after 4am on Tuesday.

Donald and her daughter were taken to the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven suffering from suspected smoke inhalation and later discharged.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk