Arbroath woman to stand trial accused of starting fire and blaming partner

An Arbroath woman is to stand trial accused of setting a fire at her own home - then trying to have her ex-partner prosecuted for it.

Donna Morrell today denied charges of wilful fireraising and wasting police time over the incident on February 2 last year.

It is alleged that she started a blaze at her flat on Newbigging Drive by torching the front door and a door mat.

Ms Morrell is then said to have told PC Lynn Burns at Arbroath Police Station that her ex had started the blaze and "rendered him liable to suspicion of wilful fireraising".

The 43-year-old further denies two other charges of wilful fireraising at an address in Forfar in September last year.

Her solicitor, Grant Bruce, entered not guilty pleas on her behalf during a pre-trial hearing at Dundee Sheriff Court.

Sheriff Alastair Brown set a trial date in February