£5m arcade fire plotters jailed

The judge told Beryl Newton she had shown "no remorse"

Four people who plotted to set fire to a Blackpool amusement centre have been jailed.

The judge told the defendants it was only through good luck and the courage of firefighters that a woman trapped in the Grab City building managed to escape.

The couple who ran a market stall there, Beryl and Terence Newton were each jailed for nine years.

Preston Crown Court heard the arson attack destroyed the building on the Golden Mile causing damage which would cost £5m to repair.

It followed a dispute with the owner of the complex.

Christine Hindle was trapped in the burning building

The plot also involved their son, Terence, who recruited 32-year-old Nicholas Hulme to start the fire.

A manageress, Christine Hindle, was rescued by firefighters.

The Newtons were convicted after a trial.

Their son had pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Hulme, of Bean Avenue, was jailed for five years.

The judge, Robert Brown, said it was a "wicked offence" and three members of the Newton family knew that Christine Hindle lived in the flat above.

He told Beryl Newton: "You have shown no remorse whatsoever."