A MOTHER and daughter who took an overdose of dog steroids before starting a blaze in their own home were today (Friday, May 29) given lengthy jail sentences after being branded a significant risk to others.

Margaret Carroll, 60, and Katrina Rosemary Livingstone, 37, fled their burning mid-terraced bungalow in Leadgate, near Consett, on Saturday, January 31, Durham Crown Court was told.

Their home in First Street, Bradley Bungalows, was destroyed by the blaze, while neighbours were forced to evacuate their homes.

The court head both women had mental health issues, but had improved while they were in custody.

Passing sentence, Judge Peter Kelson said: “In this case, albeit in the tragic circumstances of which I have been a made aware of, both of you put yourselves before all of those around you.

“You have no regard for the safety of anybody else.”

He added: “You both pose a significant risk of causing significant injury to those around you.

“Accordingly, I am satisfied that it is appropriate to impose extended sentences in both your cases. ”

The women, who both admitted arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered, were sentenced to four years with an extended licence of two years.

Victoria Lamballe, prosecuting, said when emergency services arrived at the blazing house the mother and daughter were lying outside the property.

One paramedic said: “There was an almighty explosion which seemed to lift the tiles off the roof, followed by smoke coming out, before the tiles resettled. I got the shock of my life and immediately ran back to our vehicle to move the ambulance.”

It took several hours to extinguish the blaze.

The women were taken to hospital in a critical condition, suffering burns, smoke inhalation and the effects of substances they had taken.

Dan Cordey, mitigating for the daughter, said she had suffered a number of tragedies throughout her life.

He said: “She regrets what she had done. It wasn’t her intention to endanger any other lives.”

Tony Davis, mitigating for the mother, said following her arrest she was suffering from severe hallucinations believing herself to be a “black witch” involved in the spirit world.

Medication had made her much more stable.

In a letter read to the court, the mother said: “I regret what I have done. I just want to do my punishment and start a new life with my daughter again.”