THE landlady of a Chester pub has admitted deliberately setting fire to the building and trying to claim £200,000 in insurance.

Donna Tracey, 46, who used to run the Rake and Pikel in Huntington, pleaded guilty to arson and fraud during a hearing at Chester Crown Court this morning (Tuesday, June 19).

The blaze happened at around 5.25am on April 29 last year and took firefighters around two hours to bring under control.

Outlining the case, prosecutor Mandy Nepal said: “The Crown says this is a fire that was started by this defendant deliberately.

“CCTV footage … shows that the defendant sets napkins alight using a cigarette lighter and throws them in the bin under the sink in the bar area. The fire was started in that way deliberately.

“Shortly after the defendant contacted the insurance company and made a claim.”

Matthew Corbett-Jones, defending, said his client had been drinking at the time of the arson but knows the seriousness of the charges against her.

The case was adjourned for eight weeks while a psychological report and pre-sentence report are prepared.

Tracey, now of Ruthin Road, Cadole, Flintshire, was granted bail until the sentencing hearing but was warned that she could face a lengthy prison sentence.

Judge Patrick Thompson told her: “These are very serious offences and the likelihood is you will receive a significant custodial sentence.”

* At the time, a spokesman for Trust Inns, which owns the pub, said there was extensive fire and water damage to the main lounge and bar area.

Tracey gave an interview to another newspaper in which she reportedly said her dog had alerted her to the fire and “saved her life”.