A Hove woman who tried to petrol bomb a house with two young children inside has been jailed.
Talisa Windsor, 30, of Amberley Drive in Hove, was jailed for six years, including a further three on extended licence, at Chichester Crown Court on Friday (18 February) after being found guilty of attempted arson reckless as to endangering life.
At 6.35pm on Tuesday 11 May, Windsor was caught on CCTV pouring 3.7 litres of petrol – which she had recently stolen from a nearby petrol station – around the front door of a property in Moyne Close, Hove.
She tried to set the petrol alight by filling a broken bottle with petrol and tissue and throwing it at the door – but fortunately it failed to ignite.
Windsor also tried to throw a brick through a front window.
Police were called after members of the public reported smelling petrol and Windsor was seen filling the bottle with petrol near by.
She was swiftly arrested while officers visited the Moyne Close address to ensure the safety of the occupants, who had escaped.
Windsor was also filmed on a security camera as she stole the petrol and carried out the attack.
It was later revealed that Windsor had sent a number of threatening messages to the occupants, who were known to her, in the days leading up to the incident – including several death threats.
She was charged with attempted arson with intent to endanger life, remanded in custody and in October a jury found her guilty of attempted arson, recklessly, so as to endanger life.
Investigating officer DC Rose Horan said: “This was an extremely disturbing incident which threatened the lives of a family with two young children, who were inside the house when Talisa Windsor attempted to set it alight.
“CCTV showed that the cigarette lighter did ignite, so it was extremely lucky that the 3.7 litres of petrol around the front door did not go up in flames. Had that happened, we could have been looking at a tragic outcome.
“Nonetheless, Judge (Stuart) Trimmer found Windsor met the criteria for a dangerous offender and passed an extended sentence.
“I would like to thank the victims, witnesses and everybody who supported the investigation for their help in bringing a dangerous individual to justice.”
