Widow, 81, burned to death after catching intruder in her home

An elderly woman has died after being set on fire by an intruder she caught in her home.
Albertina Choules, known as Tina, dialled 999 before being dragged outside her home in Marlow Bottom,

Buckinghamshire, and set her alight.
Neighbours described her as ‘a lovely lady of the village who was liked by everyone’ and revealed that she’d lived in the house on her own for 12 years.
It is believed that when police arrived at the house the intruder attacked one of the officers with a machete before fleeing into nearby woodland. A 23-year-old man was arrested near a makeshift tent where he is suspected to have been living rough.
They called the fire brigade, but nothing could be done to save Mrs Choules.
One local said: ‘I left for the school run this morning and there was a fire engine and a police car blocking the road.
‘I went down to Marlow Bottom and by the time I got back from the school run, there were lots of police cars, and ambulance and a black car.
‘You don’t expect this kind of thing around here because it is a lovely area. Marlow Bottom is a beautiful village so it is shocking.’


She had lived on her own in the house since 2004 (Picture: INS)Detective Superintendent Chris Ward said: ‘We are in the process of investigating the incident and a murder investigation has been launched.

 ‘We have also arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with this incident, and he has been taken into police custody.
‘I would like to appeal for anyone who thinks they might have any information about this incident to get in touch with us by calling the non-emergency number 101.
Chief Inspector Rebecca Mears said: ‘I have this morning been to Stoke Mandeville Hospital where our injured officer was taken. He has since been discharged from hospital.’