Arson death charge woman bailed

Irene Herring was rescued from her room but later died in hospital

A teenage woman has appeared in court charged with murdering a woman, 85, who died after a fire at a nursing home.

Rebecca Reasbeck, 18, was bailed after appearing before Hastings magistrates accused of killing Irene Herring, who died in hospital on 2 February 2009.

Mrs Herring was fatally injured in the fire in her top-floor room at Ancaster Court, Bexhill, East Sussex.

Ms Reasbeck of Upper Park Road, St Leonards, was told to appear at Lewes Crown Court on 29 January next year.

Police charged Ms Reasbeck after she was re-arrested in connection with the inquiry on Friday.

A post-mortem examination revealed Mrs Herring died from pneumonia brought on by smoke inhalation.

Following her death, Mrs Herring's husband, David, said his wife, "was a naturally happy soul and had a ready smile".