Ex-boyfriend admits manslaughter

Sarah Jane Dudley, died in the house fire in Bargate, near Belper.

The former boyfriend of a mother-of-two who died in a fire at her home near Belper, Derbyshire, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Sarah Jane Dudley, 33, was trapped in a bedroom by a fire which started when a burning plastic bag was pushed through the letterbox of her home in Bargate.

Anthony Frost, 46, of Belper, had been charged with her murder.

He denied murder, but admitted manslaughter and reckless arson at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday.

Lesser charges

Ms Dudley, a senior carer at a residential home, died from smoke inhalation in the fire on 16 May.

Paul Mann, prosecuting, said Frost's pleas to the lesser charges would be accepted as there was no evidence of premeditation.

He said no accelerants were used in the arson attack, but the house had been built from highly flammable materials which allowed the blaze to quickly take hold.

Ms Dudley's children, Alicia, 14, and Eleanor, 12, who were not at home at the time of the blaze, are now being cared for by relatives.

Frost was remanded in custody to await sentence on 2 December.