A man who set his teenage girlfriend on fire and left her with permanent scarring will spend at least the next six years behind bars.
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, in Queensland, on Friday.
Brae Lewis has pleaded guilty to dousing his girlfriend Kyesha Finemore in petrol before setting her alight in Marsden, south of Brisbane in May 2016
Burns covered almost her entire body, and after Lewis pleaded guilty Ms Finemore spoke out about her suffering
Her mother Melissa Cooke said the ordeal has been ‘stressful’. Ms Finemore has used a Facebook page to post updates on her recovery
‘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.
The brave teenager explained before the court, and Lewis, the ways her life had been changed forever since the horrific event
The incident stemmed from an argument, with Lewis throwing petrol on Ms Finemore and setting her on fire
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.
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