A WOMAN charged with burning down two Sandown hotels has entered not guilty pleas at the Isle of Wight Crown Court today (Monday).


Paula Skelly, 62, of Britain Street, Portsea, has denied charges of arson after allegedly flicking a cigarette end from a balcony, which landed in a pile of rubbish and started the fire.


The fire spread and destroyed both the Tarvic 2 and St Moritz Hotels at Culver Parade in September, 2018.


Six witnesses have been summonsed to the trial, including both the owners of the St Moritz and the owner of the Tarvic 2.


Full CCTV footage of the incident has been requested by the defence, as well as the full fire report.


The trial date is set for August 5 and conditional bail was granted by Recorder Marcus Pilgerstorfer.