Dawlish News

Repeated attempts to find Susan Hale, 52, from Dawlish a bed in the Teignbridge area have failed and she is currently in Brighton, after being remanded in custdy more than a year ago. Now a judge at Exeter Crown Court has ordered a representative from the Teignbridge Primary Care Trust to come to the court and explain why no bed has been made available.

Also despite a report being ordered by the court, one has not been prepared because of staff shortages.

Hale's counsel Mary McCarthy said: "The Crown Prosecution Service is prepared to take a pragmatic view of this case if a hospital bed can be found.

"I am asking that a representative of the trust come to court to explain why no bed is available.

"Without pressure being brought to bear it appears no progress will be made in this case."

Judge Cottle agreed saying: "The only way we are going to move this case forward is to get a representative from Teignbridge to come and explain the position."

The judge adjourned the case for 21 days saying by that time either a bed should be found for Hale or someone from Teignbridge Primary Care Trust would have to attend court in person to say why no bed was available.

Hale was arrested at her home in Barton Crescent, Dawlish in October 2002 after firefighters attended a blaze at her flat.

At that time she had called the fire service to say there was a fire and they arrived and quickly extinguished it.

Tenants in other flats in the building had already been evacuated.

The following month Hale was remanded in custody having been charged with arson.

Since then she has been languishing in various secure accommodation with the continuing threat of a possible arson trial hanging over her head.