by Sarika Sharma
A WOMAN says she has been left shocked by British justice after her ex-husband burnt down her house.
Ms Shirley Cook, 57, of Cherry Tree Road, Holtspur returned from a weekend away to find her home gutted by fire on Saturday February 3.
Former husband Brian Cook, 59, from Colnbrook, Berkshire pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered at Aylesbury Crown Court on Tuesday, June 26 in relation to the incident. He was sentenced to two years and seven months in jail.
But speaking afterwards, Ms Cook slammed the sentence, and said: "I am totally shocked with British justice, I can't believe that he has finished up with two years – I am tormented after what he has done to me."
Ms Cook had finally divorced her husband in November 2006 after having suffered 34 years in a marriage in which she was subjected to perpetual physical and verbal abuse.
On the night of the incident, Ms Cook had gone to London to stay with friends, however her ex-husband was unaware of this.
Judge Seddon Cripps said in court that Mr Cook had heard a rumour which suggested that his ex wife was having an affair and that he had then gone to get two cans of petrol.
He told Mr Cook: "You then picked up a stone and broke the bedroom window and poured petrol in. Then you broke the living room window and poured petrol in and set the place alight in order to once again destroy the house."
Ms Cook had already been the victim of an arson attack in 1991 by her husband, however she was fortunately away from her home on the day although both her dogs died in the fire.
She added: "I even had a panic alarm that would contact the police if he tried to attack me."
However, every time she had got an injunction to remove him from her house he would force his way back in.
Ms Cook explained: "I divorced him in November last year, it just took me so long to get a divorce because I was so terrified of him, and as I got older I got weaker, you just get used to it and you can't get out of it."
"And there is no where to go