[Kevy Baby]

Woman convicted, won't be jailed in assault, house fire

A Louisville woman accused of hitting her husband and trying to burn down their house after he refused to go to the store to buy her beer pleaded guilty yesterday but avoided jail.

Ruby Jewell will be placed on diversion for five years and must stay employed, complete a drug program and attend four Alcoholics Anonymous meetings a week.

Jewell, 29, pleaded guilty in Jefferson Circuit Court to arson, wanton endangerment and assault in the March 3, 2004, incident.

After consuming seven beers that night, Jewell, of the 1600 block of Arling Avenue, wanted her husband, Keith, to buy her more beer, according to her arrest citation.

When he refused, she slapped him, then set fire to the couch, which burned to the frame before Keith Jewell could extinguish the flames. Five children were in the home at the time.