AUGUSTA -- A 66-year-old Farmingdale woman will spend four months behind bars for setting fire to her home two years ago in what the judge concluded was an attempt to replace the older structure with a new one.

Shirley Kalloch was sentenced Monday morning by Justice Joseph Jabar in Kennebec County Superior Court.

She had pleaded "no contest" to an arson charge in the middle of her jury trial and was convicted by the judge.

Jabar imposed a sentence of eight years in prison, all but four months suspended, and three years' probation.

Her attorney, Stephen Bourget, requested Kalloch be spared jail time, citing medical problems. He requested some form of house arrest.

But Deputy District Attorney Alan Kelley said jail time was important and asked that the woman spend six months in jail.

"Our recommendation is really a recognition of Ms. Kalloch's age and physical and mental condition as we understand it," Kelley said.

Jabar said he concluded the fire was planned, and put people at risk, including firefighters who responded to the July 19, 2006 fire.

"Her motive was to burn the place down and replace it with a double-wide," Jabar said.

At trial, Kelley told jurors that at least three hours before Kalloch's home was destroyed, several individuals heard her answering machine play this message: "Praise the Lord. The double-wide is coming."

Jabar said Monday the fire was deliberately set.

"She and her so-called boyfriend visited places for the purpose of purchasing a double-wide, and her boyfriend coincidentally moved his boat away several days before the fire," Jabar said. "This was a planned fire to replace a structure that could not be sold."

He said Kalloch wanted to collect insurance proceeds.

Her claim was denied by the insurance company.

"She had to know what she was doing was wrong," Jabar said.

Bourget said Kalloch is showing initial signs of geriatric dementia and would deteriorate in jail.

A son, Donald Upson, said Kalloch now lives with him and his family.

Kalloch gave a brief wave of her fingers to a friend, Dean James, as he asked the judge to keep Kalloch out of jail.

Kalloch's long gray hair was tied back in a pony tail and she walked into court limping heavily.

Kelley said the Farmingdale Fire Department incurred more than $7,600 in costs fighting the fire. Four fire departments assisted.

Jabar said he would not order restitution since Kalloch had no assets or income other than a $600 Social Security check each month.

Betty Adams -- 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com