A PSYCHIATRIC nurse who, herself, developed mental illness and set fire to her own house has won a reduction in her jail term.

Sheila Breakwell, of East Street, Kidderminster, received a six-year jail term in July last year after pleading guilty at Worcester Crown Court to two offences of arson.

The sentencing judge gave the 47-year-old a longer than usual term in custody because of the extreme risk she posed to the public.

Top judges at London's Court of Appeal, however, heard Breakwell - a manic depressive - is now on medication and a model prisoner.

Judge Jeremy Roberts QC, sitting with Lord Justice Scott Baker and Mr Justice Forbes, cut her sentence to four years.

It means she will be eligible for release almost immediately, given the time she served on remand.

Judge Roberts, however, increased Breakwell's extended sentence from four years to five. That means if she puts a foot out of line within five years of being released, she will be recalled to prison.

The judge told the court that Breakwell had a troubled childhood but qualified as a psychiatric nurse when she was in her 20s.

She rose through the ranks to become a sister and held down responsible jobs but her own mental health deteriorated in the 1980s.

Between 1991 and 2002 she left her job, became increasingly ill and had a number of run-ins with police. She also spent time in mental homes.

Then, on September 4, 2002, she went to the house she owned - it was rented out to tenants - and set fire to a dustbin.

Worried neighbours called the police but Breakwell was released on bail after being deemed unfit for interview.

On September 13, she again went to the house and at around 11pm neighbours heard her shouting: "Can't you smell it, I'm burning plastic?"

Again, emergency services attended and saw smoke pouring through a broken window, emanating from a fire Breakwell had started inside the property.

No-one was injured but Judge Roberts described the offences as "very dangerous".

The judge added that Breakwell is now on an "enhanced regime" while behind bars, and has been allowed out on day visits to her family.