Teenager put lit cigarette papers through letterbox (From Milford Mercury)

Teenager put lit cigarette papers through letterbox

8:20am Tuesday 12th January 2010

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A Milford Haven teenager set fire to cigarette papers and dropped them through a friend’s letterbox after an argument, a court has heard.

Kelly Marie Picton pleaded guilty to a charge of arson after falling out with the friend over tobacco.

Picton of 24 Larch Road, Mount Estate, appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court last Tuesday.

Picton had visited her friend’s flat in Chestnut Way on April 28, where she had asked for tobacco and was refused, the court was told.

Magistrates heard how the 18-year-old was upset by the incident and returned to the flat in the early hours of the following morning, lit a handful of cigarette papers and pushed them through the letterbox.

The papers had extinguished on hitting the floor and had caused minor damage to the letterbox brushes.

Prosecutor Nick Newton said CCTV cameras in the block of flats had identified Picton and in interview the 18-year-old said she was ‘disgusted’ by her actions and expressed remorse.

Defending solicitor Jonathan Webb said it was ‘a very stupid act’ which had caused ‘very minor damage’.

The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports and Picton is next due to appear in court on January 28 for sentencing.

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