Woman who started fire at block of flats was ‘failed by the state' after years of abuse
A woman who started a fire in a block of flats was 'failed by the state' following years of abuse, a judge has said.
Anisah Saleem, 39, sparked the blaze in the communal area of a block of flats in Rochdale on August 1, 2022. A joiner had previously been to change the locks before she was heard by neighbours 'screaming and shouting' whilst on the phone to the council.
Residents in the flats on Daventry Road were evacuated and temporarily rehoused. Fortunately no harm was caused, though the total cost was estimated at £7,668.
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Handing her a community order, Judge Jason MacAdam said: 'It is accepted that you were the victim of crime. You met your abuser in 1999 and were groomed using drugs and alcohol, becoming pregnant by him when you were 15.'
The abuse spanned 17 years, and as a result she developed mental health issues and became addicted to drugs, he said.
'It should be recorded, in my view, you were not provided any support, you were placed in an area away from your family and you were advised not to have therapy for the difficulties from the abuse,' he continued.
'The CPS and the police have revised their guidance in respect of victims of crime having therapy, perhaps others will profit from the difficulties caused to you and others.'
He added that there had been a 'long history of failure by the state' which came to a head when the fire was started.
Katy Laverty, prosecuting, said that at around 3.20pm, a joiner employed by Rochdale Borough Council had attended Saleem's flat to change the locks. The defendant was later heard in the communal area on the phone to customer services within the council and her superior saying: 'I will smash my flat up and have a fire.'
The emergency services were called and the fire service attended. A fire scene investigator later concluded the blaze had been started deliberately.
Saleem was arrested and interviewed, telling officers that there was an issue with the cost of replacing the lock. She accepted she was 'angry' with the council after being asked to pay £130 whilst not having proper access to the flat. She accepted she was taking heroin and crack cocaine at the time.
Whilst no harm was caused, residents were forced to evacuate the block and were temporarily rehoused. 'This was a massive inconvenience to those tenants and the local authority,' Judge MacAdam said.
Her barrister, Nick Ross, said his client had suffered with mental health issues after 'years of abuse'. 'She is keen to resume some degree of normality,' he said.
Saleem, of Daverty Road, pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. She was handed a three year community order and 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirements.
Judge MacAdam added: 'You committed this offence when suffering with mental health issues because of being a victim of crime and the state's failure to properly support you.
'If that harm had been addressed sooner, then this crime would not have been committed.'
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