Walsall murder fire put others' lives at risk

DC Jeff Neal, investigating officer, said Susan Buckley told police a catalogue of lies after she was arrested following the fire at Mr Carter's flat in South Street Gardens, Palfrey, on Christmas Day last year.

"She tried to say Geoff set the fire himself," he said.

"It would have been a tragedy for his daughter if she thought he killed himself when his death was at the hands of a third party.

"There were five other flats in the block. It was a total disregard for other people too.

"She had known at least one of them was occupied and she had two children.

"It was a deliberate ignition. She was clearly telling lies to police and fire officers."

He said Mr Carter also had severe cuts to his arms.

"He had a 16.5cm slice down the back of one arm and a 6.5cm cut across the inside of his other arm.

"He also had indentations in his chest where someone rested a knife against him, and a black eye which we could never account for."

He said the investigation had taken a lot of resources and 28 knives had also been seized from Buckley and Mr Carter's flats.

They were examined but no traces of blood were found on them.

Senior investigating officer, Det Insp Gary Plant said: "Susan Buckley deliberately set fire to the inside of Geoffrey Carter's flat, after she assaulted him following a further argument between the couple.

"By doing what she did, she took Geoffrey Carter's life; but, if the fire hadn't been controlled as quickly as it was, the lives of others within the block could also have been taken .

"Susan now has time to reflect upon her actions during the time of her custodial sentence and the impact it will have upon the rest of her life."