Man jailed for setting girlfriend on fire
SUPPORTERS of a man jailed for setting his girlfriend on fire, leaving her mentally and physically scarred, have lashed out at reporters outside court. SEE THE VIDEO
Crime & Justice
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A QUEENSLAND man who set his teenage girlfriend on fire and left her with permanent scarring will spend at least the next six years behind bars. Outside court his supporters lashed out at waiting reporters.
Brae Taylor Lewis, 19, was convicted last week of a malicious act intended to cause grievous bodily harm after pouring fuel over his then-girlfriend Kyesha Finemore in May 2016.
Judge Michael Williamson sentenced him to 11 years in jail in the Beenleigh District Court on Friday.
Outside court on Friday some of Lewis’s supporters lashed out at waiting media, threatening violence and calling reporters “scum”. One supporter knocked the microphone out of a reporter’s hand.
Threats were made including: “Want to get smacked in the mouth?” and “You wanna fight?”
Extra court security was ordered.
In sentencing Lewis, Judge Williamson called the crime a “callous act”.
“One cannot even begin to understand the excruciating pain that you inflicted on this young woman by such a vicious and callous act,” Judge Williamson said.
“She bears a permanent reminder of it.”
Under Queensland law, domestic violence offenders must serve at least 80 per cent of their sentence, meaning Lewis could be released as soon as 2025 having spent almost two years in custody.
Ms Finemore was left with permanent scarring to her arms, chest, abdomen, back and thighs following the attack in Marsden, south of Brisbane. The teen spent two days in an induced coma, with some burns so bad they burnt through her skin.
After a month she was released, but has had to endure ongoing treatment for her physical and mental health.
Lewis had become increasingly violent in the months leading up to the assault of Ms Finemore.
He has pleaded guilty to 10 other offences, including an assault where he punched a 16-year-old girl twice in the head.
Earlier the court heard Lewis left Ms Finemore in the shower after she was severely burned and did not wait for police or emergency services to arrive.
After setting her alight, the court heard the 17-year-old said: “F***, f***, f***, what’s happened?”
Lewis then tried to pat out the flames before saying: “I wouldn’t have intentionally have done that” and leaving the property.
He was not arrested until about 24-hours later.
In a victim impact statement read to the court Ms Finemore said she was “heartbroken” the person she loved did such a “horrible thing”.
“I felt and still feel self-conscious about my scars and appearance,” she said.
“I avoid looking at old photos of myself … I prefer not to look in mirrors.
“I go to counselling every fortnight to help with the healing of my physical and mental state.
“ … I am petrified of putting petrol into my own vehicle … I can only sit in the sun for a short time.
“I have difficulty sleeping that I have reoccurring nightmares. This will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
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