Victim speaks of struggles after being doused in petrol, set alight

A QUEENSLAND woman doused in petrol and set alight by her boyfriend has described her day-to-day struggle following the horrific assault.

Kyesha Finemore in hospital after the attack.

A QUEENSLAND woman doused in petrol and set alight by her boyfriend has described her day-to-day struggle following the assault.

The Brisbane teenager behind the attack at their Marsden home two years ago may be jailed for more than a decade.

Kyesha Finemore has been left with scars.

Brae Taylor Lewis, 19, was this week found guilty by a jury of one count of a malicious act intended to cause grievous bodily harm after the horrific incident in May 2016.

Crown prosecutor Ben Jackson today asked the Beenleigh District Court to sentence Lewis to 12 years behind bars for the attack that left then 17-year-old Kyesha Finemore with burns to 21 per cent her body and lifelong scarring.

“Treatment was long, extremely painful and very involved, and that is just the effect on her body, let alone the trauma she suffered psychologically,” he said.

“This is a very, very serious example of domestic violence inflicted upon her.

“In this state, all too often, women are subjected to very violent behaviour by the people who are meant to love them and often in her own homes …

“Mr Lewis has deprived her of so many things she once had and now she doesn’t.

“Mr Lewis took that from her.”

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.”

Lewis also pleaded guilty to 10 other offences, including assault occasioning bodily harm of a 16-year-old girl who he punched twice in the face as she was trying to walk way from him on the street.

The sentencing hearing continues.