A SOUTHAMPTON woman has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of her sister.

Cathy Bartlett, 30, took to the dock at Southampton Magistrates Court charged with fraud by false representation and the attempted murder of her sister Rachael.

The charges come after a fire broke out at the Bartley home of Rachael, in New Inn Lane, on April 7, this year.

Sarah Dineley, district crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Wessex, said: “I have authorised Hampshire Constabulary to charge Cathy Bartlett with an offence of attempted murder and an offence of fraud by false representation.

“It is alleged that Cathy Bartlett attempted to murder her sister by setting fire to the property she was staying in Bartley, Southampton.

“It is also alleged she fraudulently used her sister’s bank accounts as her own without her consent and applied for loans without her knowledge.

“I carefully reviewed all the available evidence provided to me by Hampshire Constabulary and in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, I am satisfied that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and it is in the public interest to prosecute Cathy Bartlett with those offences.”

“Proceedings are now ongoing and the defendant has the right to a fair trial. It is very important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

She will appear at Winchester Crown Court next week.