A 45-year-old man from Bury St Edmunds has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for pouring boiling water on a woman. Andrew Burgis, who appeared at Ipswich Crown Court, pleaded guilty to a string of offences, including grievous bodily harm and common assault.
The incident, which occurred in 2022, left the victim with severe burns and long-term physical and psychological trauma. The court heard that Burgis had a history of violent behaviour and had previously been convicted of assault.
Passing sentence, Judge Emma Peters said that Burgis' actions had caused 'severe and lasting harm' to the victim and that he had shown 'no remorse' for his actions. The judge added that she hoped the sentence would serve as a deterrent to others who commit similar crimes.
Domestic violence charities welcomed the sentence, calling it a 'significant milestone' in the campaign against domestic abuse. The charity, which works to support survivors of domestic violence, said that it hoped the sentence would send a clear message that domestic violence would not be tolerated.
According to the charity, one in four women in the UK will experience domestic violence at some point in their lives. The charity works to support survivors of domestic violence, providing them with safe accommodation, counselling, and other forms of support.