A WOMAN living at a hostel for vulnerable adults put the lives of other residents at risk by starting fires in two other rooms, a court heard.

Chloe Cooper, who is autistic with compulsive, obsessive behavioural disorder, bought two lighters shortly before setting light to bedding in one man’s flat and a sofa in another, just two days apart at King’s Mews, in Easington Village.

Durham Crown Court heard that Cooper, who, had, “a fascination with blue light services”, was living at King’s Mews, for people with learning disabilities and those on the autism spectrum, late last year.

He said a male resident awoke to find his sheets were ablaze and so jumped out of bed, at 3am on November 15.

The flames were extinguished, but the resident suffered minor blistering to a foot.

In his victim statement, he said he felt upset and angry that Cooper, who he had previously allowed into his room as an act of welcome and friendship, had betrayed that goodwill gesture.

Mr Walker said the second incident was two days later, when a fire alarm at the premises was activated.

Staff discovered it was caused by a small fire on a sofa in one flat, where the resident, who suffered mental health difficulties, was found in a highly confused state.

Both the sofa and a nearby lap-top computer were damaged.

Mr Walker said a discarded lighter, found near the sofa, was one of two bought by Cooper from a local store days earlier.

He told the court it was during a further incident in which Cooper locked herself into a room, late on November 18, that she blurted out that she had started both fires.

He said it was, “abundantly clear” that she had a fascination with blue light services as she was on bail for a malicious communication offence in Cheshire at that time.

She went on to receive a suspended prison sentence, over the nuisance false 999 calls, in December.

Cooper, 21, admitted two counts of reckless arson at a recent hearing.

Liam O’Brien, mitigating, said her difficulties arose while living in various accommodation in the community later last year.

But he said she has been more stable while in secure accommodation on remand at Low Newton Women’s Prison, near Durham, in recent months.

Jailing her for 20 months for putting her fellow residents at risk, Judge Simon Hickey said he hoped steps would be taken to ensure Cooper is rehabilitated into the community on her eventual release.