A woman has been jailed for more than six years after admitting conspiracy to commit arson at a home in Leigh with eight people - including children - inside.

Maria Khan, 37, of Shannon Close, Leigh, received six years and four months at Basildon Crown Court after admitting conspiracy to commit arson with intent.

She has been given an indefinite restraining order to help further protect the occupants.

On Friday September 7, 2018 a woman was about to go out and was sitting in her hallway when she heard noise coming from outside her front door in Woodcutters Avenue at around 9.25pm.

They were then disturbed and a cloth covered in white spirit was left at the scene.

Following further enquiries, we arrested Khan at around 11.10pm she was charged.

Det Sgt Anna Gifford, of Southend’s Domestic Abuse Investigations Team, said: “Khan knew one of the occupants within the property and we believe she had planned to either cause damage to the property or harm the individuals inside.

“There were eight people inside the address including children. Had there been a fire, there could have been severe consequences for those inside.

“It didn’t take our officers long to work out Khan’s involvement in the incident and she was arrested shortly afterwards.

“She has been remanded in prison ever since and will now face the consequences of her action in prison.”

Richard La Rochelle, 36, of Shannon Close, Leigh, was found not guilty of the same charge by a jury on Tuesday 13 August