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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The woman accused of setting a fire that destroyed eight townhouses at Bison Estates and causing at least $2.2 million in damages, pleaded guilty on Monday.

Sheila Jewell pleaded guilty Monday to arson and escape from lawful custody. She is to be sentenced in NWT Supreme Court today. - NNSL file photo

Sheila Jewell, 27, was convicted of arson and escape from lawful custody in NWT Supreme Court. Two additional charges of mischief and being unlawfully at large were stayed by the Crown.

"There is no excuse for my actions. I was upset and in a drunken rage," said Jewell.

Crown prosecutor Shelley Tkatch said Jewell had gone to the Bison Estates apartment building to see her ex-boyfriend on the evening of Feb. 28, 2008. Tkatch said the two argued around 5 or 5:30 a.m. and the ex-boyfriend told her to sleep on the couch. He then went back into his bedroom where his new girlfriend was asleep. Later, the couple awoke to find the couch in the living room on fire, which quickly spread.

Tkatch said Jewell later admitted to a friend she had set the fire when the two were "driving around smoking crack." She was arrested later that day in front of a bar.

Defence attorney Michael Hansen said Jewell has a "spotty memory at best" of the night she set the fire. He said she was in a haze of alcohol and drugs and remembers "wanting to have the apartment no longer exist."

Jewell was previously convicted of breaching her court conditions shortly after being released on bail for the arson charge. She was given one day in jail after she was found "intoxicated and in possession of some beer" on March 13, said Tkatch.

Jewell also pleaded guilty to an escape from lawful custody charge after she and another inmate, Toni-Lynn Buggins, escaped from the women's jail in Fort Smith on Oct. 11 2008.

"Both women climbed out of a window and ran down a street," said Tkatch. A man was waiting to pick the two women up.

Tkatch said the three "drove non-stop until they were in Alberta."

Jewell was arrested in Grande Prairie, Alta., on Oct. 18. She was placed in custody in Fort Saskatchewan on Oct. 23 until she appeared in court.

Hansen said Jewell has "come to see her life differently" since being in jail. He said she is currently on medication for depression and a thyroid problem.

Jewell offered her apologies to the families who lost their homes in the fire she set.

"I hope they can find it in their hearts to forgive me ... I'm truly sorry," she said.

Tkatch asked for two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half years in jail for the arson conviction and three to four months for the escape.

Justice J. Edward Richard is scheduled to hand down Jewell's sentence today.