A 15-year-old Niton schoolgirl was detained indefinitely after admitting arson and criminal damage following 2 attempts to kill her adoptive parents on 17th September 1976.
Winchester Crown Court heard how Diana Alice Irons, of Haven Lane, Niton, admitted arson and criminal damage with intent to endanger life after setting fire to the family garage and attempting to sabotage her father’s car.
William and Daphne Irons had adopted Diana when she was 11 months old and brought her up on the Isle of Wight. At the time of the case, William was headmaster of Gatten and Lake Primary School. Earlier in his career, he had taught at several Isle of Wight schools, including 11 years at Niton.
Diana, who was partially deaf and attended Sandown High School, had become increasingly withdrawn. The prosecution alleged she had developed a fascination with crime fiction and television detective programmes. The court also heard she had discussed her plans with classmates before carrying out the attacks.
One pupil told the court Diana had said:
“I’m going to kill my parents. Goodbye. I probably won’t see you again.”
Another recalled warning Diana she intended to tell someone.
“It may be too late by the time you get home.”
Article continues below this advertisement
The first attempt involved William Irons’ Renault. Believing she was disabling the brakes, Diana used kitchen snippers to cut what she thought was the brake pipe. Instead, she severed the brake warning light cable, leaving the braking system intact.
The following day, while William and Daphne were watching television upstairs, Diana poured petrol around the garage beneath the house and set it alight. Both escaped before the fire spread beyond the garage.
After her arrest, Diana admitted she had intended to kill both of her parents and told police she had hoped the petrol tank would explode while they were still inside the house.
Passing sentence, Judge Sheldon said the case was a tragedy for everyone involved.
“It is an extremely tragic case, tragic not only for the girl herself but for two, I am sure, completely devoted parents.”
He ordered that Diana be detained indefinitely.
Diana was sent to Broadmoor Hospital, where she remained for almost 4 years. In 1980, the Home Office approved her transfer to Knowle Hospital near Fareham. She was later transferred to St James’s Hospital in Portsmouth before being conditionally discharged back into the community.
William and Daphne Irons continued to support their adopted daughter and successfully campaigned for her transfer from Broadmoor. Speaking after the hearing, Mrs Irons rejected suggestions that examination pressures had contributed to the attacks.
“We want her back. Of course we can forgive her.”
