A man who set his partner on fire with petrol after an argument causing her to suffer catastrophic life changing injuries, has been jailed.
Leigh Pateman doused the woman with petrol as she sat in a chair before igniting the fuel with his lighter, a court heard.
She suffered such horrific injuries that she is still in hospital 11 months after the terrifying ordeal that nearly killed her, reports GrimsbyLive.
Pateman fled the house, leaving his partner for dead, as she burned in the chair and he was later found at his mother's house.
His victim suffered 80% to 90% burns to the top half of her body and was given less than 50% chance of survival.
She was transferred to a specialist burns unit and underwent 12 hours of surgery. She has since lost several fingers.
When firefighters discovered her, she was lying on the floor, with her hair burnt off and her facial features were hard to make out.
She is now being treated at Nottingham City Hospital and will always need round the clock care, it is reported.
The incident happened at Pateman's home in Skegness on April 22 last year when he picked up a jerry can of petrol during an argument and poured it into her lap.
Pateman had claimed that the petrol had been bought for his strimmer, that he had only poured the petrol on his partner to scare her, and was then simply messing around with his lighter when it ignited.
Following the incident Pateman ran away but was later arrested by police officers at his mother’s house. He was found covered in soot and needed treatment for burns.
Pateman was sentenced to 17 years and ten months and will serve a further four years on license after his release.
Detective Inspector Andy McWatt said: “This is such a tragic incident that has left [the victim] with life-changing injuries. She is likely not to ever make a full recovery. I hope this sentence will bring some closure to the family.”
Pateman, 43, of Firbeck Avenue, Skegness, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent at Lincoln Crown Court.
