Woman jailed for Brighton Hill fire (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Woman jailed for Brighton Hill fire

4:33pm Friday 6th July 2012 in Local By Chris Gregory

A FEMALE security guard has been jailed for causing one of the biggest fires in Basingstoke’s history.

Jo Palmer, 44, of no fixed abode, was today jailed for six years and two months for setting fire to a construction site in Gershwin Road, Brighton Hill, on September 10, 2010.

More than 100 firefighters tried to tackle the blaze and nearby residents had to be evacuated.

The court heard she falsely claimed to have seen two boys run off at the time, which led to the arrest of four completely innocent Basingstoke teenagers.

Palmer had pleaded guilty to arson and perverting the course of justice at a previous hearing.

For the full story, see The Gazette on Monday.