Kibworth Woman Sentenced After Setting Fire To Flat & Blaming Ex-Partner

A woman from Kibworth Harcourt who set fire to the door of her flat in a bid to get her ex-partner jailed has herself been given a suspended prison sentence.

Lucinda Woodwood also tampered with the handle, to make it appear that attempts had been made to prevent her from escaping.

She and her baby had to be rescued by firefighters through a window, after flammable liquid was used to start the fire in February 2017.

Woodwood made a number of false allegations against the father of her child, who was twice arrested and held in a cell, while a considerable amount of police time was wasted investigating her lies.

On another occasion she painted the word ‘bitch’ on her front door, again blaming him.

Woodward, 29, of Glebeland, was found guilty of four counts of perverting the cause of justice at Leicester Crown Court yesterday and was sentenced to an 18 months jail term, suspended for 18 months.

Leicester Crown Court

The Police investigation began when she reported a number of crimes, most notably the arson, each time indicating her ex-partner was responsible.

Detectives in Leicestershire Police’s Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit (DAIU), did not waiver in their efforts to ensure the right person was punished – after it became clear Woodwood was accusing her ex-partner of crimes he did not commit.

DC Glen Williams, the investigating officer, said: “Woodward carried out crimes with the full intention of framing her ex-partner to try and see him jailed for crimes he did not commit.

“On numerous occasions she lied to police but these lies quickly came to light and the focus of the investigation shifted to Woodward. After five years and a very lengthy investigation she has now had to answer for those lies in court.”

Detective Chief Inspector Tim Lindley, the senior investigating officer, said: “The guilty verdict in this case is true testament to the investigating officer and others in the DAIU.

“Their determination and resilience to see this case through has not waivered. They saw through the story they were told and remained resolute that the right person would be put before the court.  I am pleased a guilty verdict has been reached and the work of the team can be acknowledged.”