A mum has been jailed after she left her ex with horrific scarring by throwing boiling water from a kettle over him.
Caitlin Mason and the victim had been in a relationship when an argument erupted between them about whether they should separate or get back together. In a fit of rage, the 23-year-old grabbed a kettle, which had just boiled, and threw the contents at her former boyfriend, a court was told.
As he lay screaming and cowering on the floor, Mason attacked him further by punching him on the nose and biting him on the back, prosecutors said. After shouting at her to stop, he was finally able to flee the scene and ran to his mother's house before going to hospital.
Medics found that the victim had suffered burns to his stomach, thigh and groin, which left permanent scarring and caused him to suffer from flashbacks. He also feels self-conscious and embarrassed of the marks on his body.. He also feels self-conscious and embarrassed of the marks on his body.
Mason, who is now pregnant and lives at Helvellyn Road, in Sunderland, was arrested but went on to plead not guilty to one count each of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, wounding without intent and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The case proceeded to trial and Mason was convicted of all three offences by a jury and jailed for three years.
Newcastle Crown Court was told that, on August 9 2020, the victim was at Mason's home when an argument erupted between the pair about whether they should separate or get back together. Sentencing Mason, Mr Recorder Rippon said: "You boiled the kettle and, through a fit of rage, you threw the boiling water on him."
The court heard that the water hit the man on the stomach, thigh and groin and caused him to crouch on the floor, where he was assaulted further by Mason, who punched him in the nose and bit him on the back. Joe Hedworth, prosecuting, said the victim remained cowering on the floor, telling Mason to stop, before he was able to flee the address and run to his mother's.
Mr Recorder Rippon added: "You continue to maintain you didn't carry out the assault. By the verdict that the jury indicated, they were sure that [the victim's] account was correct."
The court heard that the victim had been left unable to sleep, suffered from flashbacks and had been prescribed medication. He was also self-conscious of his scarring and said the attack had had a "significant impact" on his life.
Christopher Knox, defending, said Mason had no past convictions, was young at the time and was herself vulnerable. He added: "To describe this man, the complainant, as vulnerable is wrong. He's got a conviction for assaulting her."
Mason was also made subject of a restraining order, which banned her from contacting the victim for five years.
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