A judge has put off sentencing a Corsham woman who set light to her former boyfriend's house after getting a second opinion on her mental health.

Judge John McNaught told Angela Webb that she would not be sent to prison if she managed to stay clear of alcohol and took psychiatric and psychological help during the next six months.

Webb, 41, had gone to the home of her former partner and set light to a curtain while residents slept upstairs at the premises in Chippenham.

She admitted a charge of arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

It was the third time she had been convicted of offences of damage over a period of a few months with her ex-boyfriend, Mark Kibble, 31, being the victim each time.

In November last year Judge McNaught adjourned the case for a second opinion after reading a report which suggested that Webb may still pose a threat to the public.

The new report had reassured him that she was not a danger to the public and so he was willing to give her a chance.

The hearing in November was told that Webb had gone to Mr Kibble's home on Charter Road, Chippenham, late on the evening of October 20.

Richard Thomas, prosecuting, said that, having found that Mr Kibble was out, Webb pulled the curtain through the letterbox and set light to it before leaving the scene.

Although Mr Kibble was not in at the time, there were people in a property above as well as next door.

The front door was destroyed and the hallway was severely damaged by smoke.

Defending, Andrew Hobson said that Webb, who was then living at Almshouses, Lacock Road, Corsham, had turned to drink after the relationship broke down.

Although she had two convictions for criminal damage with Mr Kibble being the victim, Mr Hobson said they were the only matters on her record apart from motoring offences.

Having read the latest report, Judge McNaught said he was prepared to put off sentencing Webb, who is now living in Arbroath, Angus, Scotland, so that she could continue getting help.

He told her: "If you have kept off alcohol, not committed any offences and complied with the services, the worst that will happen to you will be a probation order."