Hannah Black, 25, set fire to a combustible material in her North Shields flat following an argument with her partner, causing neighbours to evacuate the building. She appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday, June 28, 2026, and was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 24 months, after pleading guilty to arson.
Fire and Evacuation
The court heard that on January 29, 2026, Black's downstairs neighbour heard her arguing with her then-partner. Prosecutor Rachel Butt described this as "not out of the ordinary" and a "regular occurrence." At 7:10 am, the neighbour was woken by the smoke alarm from Black's flat. Black's partner banged on the neighbour's door and told her that Black had set the flat on fire. The neighbour evacuated everyone, including her 10-year-old son, and called the fire brigade. As she waited outside, she saw smoke coming from Black's flat.
Firefighters entered the flat and found Black lying on the sofa with her dog still inside. A fire on the front room floor had burned itself out. A fire report concluded the cause was a lighter applied to a combustible material, probably clothing.
Defendant's Background and Impact
Black was arrested and stated that her mental health had deteriorated after her mother's death and that she was "highly intoxicated." Her neighbour, who has since moved away, said the fire had a "significant affect" on her autistic son, leaving him "distraught." North Tyneside Council, which owns the flat, could not quantify the damage cost but allowed Black to remain living there.
Black had four previous convictions for seven offences, including harassment, drunk and disorderly, and assaulting an emergency worker. She was subject to a community order at the time of the fire.
Defense and Sentencing
Shada Mellor, defending, said Black is a young mother who had a difficult childhood and adolescence. Mellor stated: "At the time of the offending and, at present, poses a risk to herself. She was not thinking about others at the time and understands that one of her great difficulties has been alcohol intake. She was in a relationship where domestic abuse was perpetrated." Mellor added that Black has since reduced her alcohol intake and is no longer in that relationship.
Judge Penny Moreland noted it was fortunate the consequences were not more serious and sentenced Black to nine months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months, with 25 rehabilitation days required.
