A woman who set fire to the Premier Inn at Haverfordwest after being jilted by her boyfriend has been jailed for 32 months today (Friday).

Georgina Tranter, aged 26, admitted pouring petrol over a fire exit door and setting it alight while there were more than 100 guests inside.

The flames got inside the building and onto a floor where people were sleeping. But a fire officer happened to be staying there and he put out the fire.

Tranter, of Redstone Court, Narberth, had admitted arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.

Nicola Powell, prosecuting, told Swansea crown court this afternoon that on January 17 Tranter —a chemistry graduate whose work involved testing petroleum spirits— went to a Hunt Ball in Haverfordwest with her boyfriend, William Harman.

During the evening he found her to be “clingy” and told her their relationship was over and advised her to go home.

He saw her get onto a minibus and thought she had left. But when he arrived at the Premier Inn for more drinks with friends he was surprised to find her there.

Miss Powell said Tranter started “ranting and raving” and a receptionist became so concerned she called the police, who drove Tranter home.

However, Tranter changed out of her ball gown and high heeled shoes, took a can of petrol from the garage of the house and drove her mother’s car back to Haverfordwest, where she tried to torch the hotel.

Miss Powell said during the early hours Tranter began sending text messages to a friend, William Evans. The first message complained that Mr Harman had not paid her enough attention.

There were then more messages reading, “I need you, I have done something stupid,” followed by “I’m not going home. I’m going to jump off a bridge,” and “I’m on the run. I love you.” And finally “I’ve poured petrol over the Premier Inn. I’m in deep trouble. I will have to go on the run.”

Police spotted her pulling into a petrol station and arrested her.

James Jenkins, representing Tranter, said she thought the best thing that had ever happened to her was spending the last seven months on remand at Eastwood Park women’s prison near Bristol, where she had been teaching other inmates to read and write.

Judge Peter Heywood said Tranter had been in several “hurtful” relations and the way Mr Harman had dealt with her had been “brutal and callous.”

But arson was an extremely serious offence, he added. Once a fire had been set no-one could predict the outcome, which could be “hugely distressing.”

“You told William Evans you had done something stupid, there is no doubt about that.

“You were not thinking rationally. You were unhinged that evening, through being jilted and alcohol.

”The Inn had been full that night. Fortunately, there was a trained fire officer staying there in a position to react and douse the flames,” added the judge.

Tranter also admitted taking her mother’s car without consent, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and driving without insurance, for which no separate penalties were imposed.