Alisha Anwar, of The Oval in Pentre Maelor, Wrexham, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday afternoon.
The 29-year-old pleaded guilty to the crime of association for the purpose of arson at a previous hearing.
Her co-accused, Luke Williams, 25, of Gwenfro, Wrexham, also admitted conspiracy to commit arson and will be sentenced next week.
Gareth Bellis, prosecuting, told the court that the victim in the case was Christina Place – the mother of Anwar’s estranged husband.
During the short time son Anwar and Ms Place were together, the victim made no secret of his dislike of her and that she was “not good enough” for her son.
This led to more problems developing between them.
In June 2022, Anwar was in a car with Luke Williams and his partner Morwenna Evans.
During the trip, Anwar asked Williams if he would “blow up a car” for the money.
Mrs. Evans took it as bravery and didn’t think the couple would be stupid enough to get away with anything.
But in the early hours of June 25, 2022, Christina Place was at her home in Brunel Court, Wrexham, when she noticed an orange glow outside.
Her car was on fire and by the time firefighters arrived, flames had spread to two other vehicles and a nearby fence.
One witness described the car exploding.
The flames were so intense that they began to melt gutters and a window on a neighboring property and one of the houses had to be evacuated.
A glass petrol bottle was found under Ms Place’s car, which was damaged beyond repair.
In the days following the incident, Morwenna Evans realized what the defendants had to do.
She was so concerned that she ended her friendship with Anwar and her relationship with the co-accused before informing the police.
A subsequent investigation revealed CCTV footage of Williams filling a jerrycan with petrol in the garage the day before the arson.
He was then seen walking with a bag near the scene of the fire just minutes before, before returning to his home shortly afterwards.
When he was arrested, an analysis of his phone showed he was looking for a “UK arson sentence”.
His financial records were checked and a few days before the incident he received a £150 transfer from Anwar with a note disguised as “birthday money”.
Mr Bellis confirmed that the defendant had no previous cautions or convictions.
Mark Connor, defending, told the court: “Ms Anwar is very aware of the powers of the court.
“There has been no illegal activity since this crime.
She made a request [for the arson] – but I suspect she was not involved in the implementation details.
“Premeditation clearly applies, it was a crime of revenge.
“But in the end she made the right decision.
“She is now able to make sound and rational decisions.”
OTHER COURT REPORTS
Mr Connor said probation officers who interviewed his client were “impressed with her attitude and motivation” but also assessed her as a very vulnerable young woman.
“He’s in a much better place now,” he added.
“She was honest to society, worked hard and achieved success.
“She’s genuinely sorry.
Judge Niclas Parry told Anwar: “Given the inherent dangerousness, any arson is a very serious offence.
“Courts cannot ignore the need to consider the serious consequences that can result from fires in sentencing.
“The facts of this case are almost overwhelming.
“It was all about revenge and grudges in a domestic context.
“You were determined to get revenge on your mother-in-law and offered to pay your co-defendant £150 for a petrol bomb or detonate it.
“You orchestrated this conspiracy and are responsible for the actions of the other in the conspiracy as well as your own.
The judge imposed a 16-month prison sentence, concluding that it would have to be carried out immediately because the facts were simply too serious to be suspended.
A two-year restraining order was issued to protect Ms Place and Ms Evans.