KEY POINTS:
A Feilding woman convicted for the manslaughter of her autistic daughter in 1997 has been jailed after trying to set fire to a church.
Janine Thomson, 46, was sentenced in Palmerston North District Court yesterday to a year and four months' jail , the Manawatu Standard reported.
Fuelled by alcohol on December 11 about 3.30am, Thompson smashed her way into Feilding's St Marks Methodist Church, next door to her home, and attempted to set fire to several Christmas displays.
Although none of the fires spread, nearly $24,000 worth of damage was caused - mainly from smoke.
When Thomson spoke to police she said she hated the church, its members and living next door to it.
Judge Gregory Ross said Thomson's drinking, depression, anxiety and unresolved grief had beset Thomson since the killing of her daughter, Casey Janine Huinui Albury in 1997, and that while those matters were unresolved, she represented a risk to the community.
"There have been sad consequences for you, that you have not been able to resolve on your own," he said.
In sentencing Thomson, Judge Ross also ordered $8000 reparation to be paid.
- NZPA
