A MUM who gave a false alibi to a Nailsworth arson suspect wept with relief yesterday as a judge spared her from jail.

Mother-of-three Hannah Bloxsome, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Gloucester crown court to doing an act tending or intended to pervert the course of justice between Saturday, February 21, 2015 and Wednesday, July 27 last year.

She provided a false statement giving an alibi for a man under investigation for arson at a house in Stroud on February 21, 2015, the court was told.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC sentenced her to six months jail suspended for two years and ordered to do 60 hours unpaid work and pay costs of £100.

"You are a highly vulnerable young woman and you have difficulties with your health," said the judge.

"You were married and then fell into a relationship with someone unsuitable.

"If your account is true, he was nasty and violent."

When the judge told her he was not going to send her to prison she began crying.

Judge Tabor said: "Your tears tell me that you appreciate how close you have come to it.

"I think the time has now come for you to rebuild your life."

Prosecutor Janine Wood said the alleged arson attack was at the home of her former father in law, aged 76, in Eros close, Stroud on Saturday, February 21 2015.

He had been at home when he heard his letter box flapping and he found a petrol soaked rag on the floor.

Someone had attempted to light it but unsuccessfully, he rang the police.

The following day Bloxsome's boyfriend was arrested for attempted arson.

When police questioned Bloxsome she claimed he had been with her and had not gone near her father in law's house, said Ms Wood.

The next day she made a statement confirming he had been with her,.

However, on May 18, 2015 she told police she had lied and she made a new statement saying that on February 21 her boyfriend had been angry and had stopped his vehicle near her father in law's house and had taken a newspaper and petrol can and disappeared for a few minutes.

"She said she had lied about the alibi to protect herself and her children from her boyfried. In fact he has not been brought to trial or convicted."

Bloxsome was of previous good character and had children aged seven, eight and nine.

Kevin Batch, defending, said "She separated from her husband in 2009 and had sole care of the children.

Sadly she then met the man involved in this case.

"As a result of that association and his controlling influence on her, an abusive relationship, the children were effectively taken into care and returned to her former husband and his new partner.

"She has not seen them for some five months."

Judge Tabor said "It's absolutely tragic "

Mr Batch said "Yes, it is desperately sad. She suffers from depression and was deeply distressed when her father died five years ago.

"She not only lost her children but also lost her flat because of her relationship.

"But she has now found herself full time work and is regarded as an important and trusted employee.

"She hopes to be able soon to move to Devon to be closer to her children who now live there with their father

"Of course, Your Honour is also aware she has a heart condition, she has a pacemaker fitted."