A convicted arsonist attempted to torch a hotel while serving a suspended prison sentence for another arson attempt, a court has heard.

Rebecca O’Loughlin, 33, of Stonehouse Lane, Birmingham, was jailed for a year-and-a-half on Friday, July 10, over the Epsom blazes.

Guildford Crown Court heard O’Loughlin originally tried to set fire to her room at Oak Lodge B&B, Burgh Heath Road, in November 2007.

The owner found a pile of paper containing a lit cigarette in the bathroom and a smouldering bathmat.

In September last year, Judge Christopher Critchlow said he was satisfied O’Loughlin had “learned her lesson” and handed her an eight-month jail sentence, suspended for two years.

But O’Loughlin went on to commit her second arson attempt when she travelled back down from the Midlands to try to torch the Premier Inn, Epsom, on March 9.

This month she pleaded guilty again to arson being reckless as to whether life was in danger, and also to another charge of criminal damage.

Laura Plant, prosecuting, told the court the defendant had tried to start a fire, which could have had lethal consequences as there was a quantity of accelerant nearby.

Philip Longes, defending, said: “Unfortunately for her, she was not offered the psychiatric help she so obviously needed after the first offence.”

Judge Critchlow activated 26 weeks of the suspended sentence.

He jailed her for another 50 weeks for the attempted arson at the Premier Inn, as well as nine weeks for the criminal damage, to run concurrently.

The 121 days O’Loughlin has spent on remand will be taken into account.

Speaking of the arson attack at Premier Inn, a hotel spokeswoman said: “The team at Premier Inn acted swiftly to ensure that no guests were in any danger.

“The hotel was evacuated immediately and emergency services were called.

“We are very proud of the team’s quick thinking and decisive action.”

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