A 33-year-old man from Watford has been arrested after an 80-year-old woman was “set on fire” inside a block of flats, prompting a major police investigation.
Hertfordshire Constabulary said officers were called to Caractacus Cottage View at 12.47pm on Monday 9 November after Brenda Raymond was discovered alight in a first-floor communal area. She suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital, where she remains in a critical condition.
The force confirmed on Friday that a man had been arrested. He was originally arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and later held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. The 33-year-old from Watford remains in police custody while enquiries continue.
Arrest and allegations
The suspect has not been named. Detectives from the Major Crime Unit are leading the investigation, and the force has said the legal position remains fluid as forensic and witness work continues.
The shift towards a conspiracy allegation marks a serious escalation in the case. It suggests prosecutors may later rely on a broader charge than attempted murder, potentially reflecting the perceived danger of the alleged act.
‘Appalling and deeply distressing attack’
Detective Inspector Adam Bridges described the incident as “an appalling and deeply distressing attack on
