Woman Sentenced for Christmas Eve Arson and Assault on Emergency Services
Amy Winter, 42, from Trefoil Crescent, Crawley, sparked chaos on Christmas Eve 2020 in Brighton. She forced police, firefighters, and paramedics to rush to a Surrey Street flat, where they faced threats and assaults.
Multiple Emergency Calls and Fires
- At 2:45pm on December 24, Winter called East Sussex Fire and Rescue claiming a fire and breathing difficulties. Firefighters quickly extinguished a small blaze.
- Just before 3:20pm, Winter made another alarming 999 call. Police and paramedics found her with a head injury, but she turned hostile when offered help.
- After calming down under a mental health officer’s assessment, officers left the scene.
Arson and Assault on Firefighters
At 4:12pm, paramedics were still finishing paperwork when firefighters arrived again—alerted by Winter herself. They put out a fire set to bedding inside the flat. But as they prepared to leave, flames were spotted through an internal window.
Winter locked the door behind the firefighters. They forced entry and discovered her bed set ablaze and Winter lying on the floor, pretending to be unconscious.
Police returned and arrested Winter on suspicion of arson recklessly endangering life. She later pleaded guilty.
Sentence and Police Response
On April 11, Lewes Crown Court sentenced Winter to 28 months in prison.
Investigator Rose Horan said: “Amy Winter’s reckless behaviour endangered the lives of her neighbours, firefighters and the wider public. She deliberately started fires and was aggressive towards members of the emergency services.”
“All of the police officers, paramedics and firefighters who attended on Christmas Day displayed incredible patience with her.”
“This custodial sentence should send a message to her and others not to waste the valuable time and resources of the emergency services.”
