A WOMAN charged with attempting to murder her former husband by setting fire to his bedroom has pleaded guilty to a charge of intentionally or recklessly damaging property by fire.
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Natasha Beth Crossman, 26, of Culburra Beach, was charged with assaulting and attempting to kill Colin Crossman in the family home in Croudance Street, Walcha, in January, 2009.
While she had previously denied all allegations, she pleaded guilty to the arson charge on Friday, during the second day of what was expected to be a three-week trial in the Armidale District Court.
Crown prosecutor John Stanhope told the jury of seven men and five women Colin Crossman was asleep in bed at about 4am on January 17, 2009, when he woke up because he felt a blow to the temple.
When he questioned the accused, she referred to having a seen a shadow or a figure in the house, giving chase and seeing the figure jump over the back fence.
The garage door had been interfered with, and Mr Crossman told police a hammer was missing.
It was later found in a cupboard in the house and subjected to forensic testing, but there was no evidence to link it with the attack on Mr Crossman.
Three days later, at 4am on January 20, there was a fire at the house.
A neighbour was woken by the accused at the front door holding her son and yelling that the house was on fire.
They went into the home, found Mr Crossman and took him out.
Mr Stanhope said evidence would show the fire had begun in the main bedroom, apparently in the area of the bed.
A container in which people would normally store petrol was found in the room, but without a lid, which was found in a different location.
Mr Stanhope said a specialist crime scene investigator would give evidence that the fire was deliberately lit.
Evidence would also show that petrol or some other flammable liquid had been located in carpet samples.
The accused told detectives she had been in bed with her husband when she was woken by the fire alarm.
She shook him and tried to wake him up before throwing some clothes on the flames, and had then tripped over the petrol can.
The accused said she believed Mr Crossman was following her but, realising he was not out, went back to help.
The Crown said evidence would also be given that in 2008 the accused had indicated she was separated from Mr Crossman and was moving to Bendemeer.
Further evidence would show that during 2008 the accused had a relationship with another man.
Crossman is free on bail, but is due back in the court tomorrow when sentencing options are expected to be addressed.
