Fire starter loses appeal

A once-successful businesswoman jailed for starting fires in her home has failed to persuade top judges that her three-and-a-half-year sentence was too tough.

Diane Patricia Loughran (50), of Frances Street, Oldham, deliberately set fire to her own flat at 1.45am on November 4, 2008, after a night drinking with friends.

The unconscious woman — who had started three separate blazes in her home — was carried to safety by neighbour, Paul Hulley, a former special police constable, who had earlier heard her panicked screams.

Loughran, described as “an alcoholic in denial” by Lady Justice Hallett, pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered on September 21, last year.

London’s Criminal Appeal Court heard lawyers argue yesterday that her sentence was over the top.

Loughran had previously held down high-powered jobs but had been brought down by her drinking.

Lady Justice Hallett, giving the court’s judgement, said: “Alcohol has had an extremely destructive influence on her.

“Her actions on the night of the fire could have had dreadful consequences.

“The psychological reports do not reveal this appellant to be a fire starter but an alcoholic in denial.”

Dismissing the appeal, Lady Justice Hallett added: “In our judgement, there can have been no legitimate expectation that she would receive a sentence of less than three-and-a-half years.”