Woman, 20, denies arson over Dovestone moorland fire

Shania Care-Slede, from Hyde, appeared via video link at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court this afternoon (August 21).

She was arrested in July and eventually charged with arson, arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered and dangerous driving following a moorland fire at Dovestone Reservoir.

Before her pleas were heard by the court, prosecutor Iain Simkin KC asked for the arson and dangerous driving charges to be separated, to which Judge Tina Landale agreed.

Care-Slede, who was represented by David James, pleaded not guilty to both arson and aggravated arson.

She went on to plead guilty to the dangerous driving charge.

A provisional trial date has been set for May 17 for the counts of arson and sentencing for the dangerous driving has been set for September 29.

Care-Slede was previously granted bail following a hearing at Minshull Street Crown Court on July 20.

The fire broke out at the Saddleworth reservoir on Saturday, July 11, and firefighters worked for weeks to contain the blaze and make the area safe.

Police have previously said it is continuing their enquiries into the Dovestone fire and have asked the public to stop sharing posts and speculation online about the incident.