A judge has ordered further psychiatric assessments on an eccentric hotelier who threatened to set fire to a neighbour’s house.
Former barrister Shirley Bothroyd, aged 59, is awaiting sentence at Exeter Crown Court and has been moved from jail to the Fromeside psychiatric clinic in Somerset.
Judge Timothy Rose ordered a third psychiatric report after hearing there may be a disagreement between experts on whether Bothroyd needs to remain in hospital.
Mr Nicolas Gerasimidis, defending, said a report by a consultant psychiatrist commissioned by the defence has concluded that Bothroyd may not be suitable for an order under the Mental Health Act.
A further report from a third psychiatrist will now be prepared for the court.
Bothroyd was running the Bay Hotel in South View, Teignmouth, in August last year when she made the threats to a woman who lived in a house across the street.
The dispute between the two women arose from a bizarre argument about Bothroyd’s pet lizard.
The neighbour had taken the reptile home because she did not think Bothroyd was looking after it properly.
Bothroyd confronted her and threatened to burn her house down. A small fire was lit in the letter box the next morning but went out and did not cause any damage.
Bothroyd admitted threatening to cause criminal damage when she appeared at Exeter Crown Court. A more serious charge of arson was dropped.
Mr Gerasimidis told an earlier hearing that Bothroyd has been diagnosed with depression.
He said her mental illness is linked to the stress of this case and previous abuse of alcohol, but she has been sober for several months since being remanded in custody last year.
He said she plans to move to London when she is released.
Bothroyd is a qualified barrister who worked in the legal department of the Inland Revenue for many years before moving to Devon and buying the Bay Hotel.
Her arrest for arson followed a series of incidents with guests which led her to being dubbed a female Basil Fawlty.