Teen jailed for setting his girlfriend on fire in 'vicious, callous' attack
WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: Queensland man Brae Taylor Lewis will spend at least the next six years behind bars for setting his teenage girlfriend on fire, while she will bear the consequence of his crime for life.
Lewis, 19, was convicted by a jury 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 on Friday for the “vicious and heinous” crimes.
“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 already spent almost two years in custody.
Ms Finemore, also 19, was left with permanent scarring to her arms, chest, abdomen, back and thighs following the attack in Marsden, south of Brisbane, after an argument over a mobile phone.
The teen spent two days in an induced coma, with some burns so bad they penetrated her skin.
She was released from hospital after a month but has had to endure ongoing treatment for her physical and mental wounds.
Lewis had become increasingly violent in the months leading up to the assault on Ms Finemore, dousing her in petrol and threatening to set her alight months before doing so.
He has pleaded guilty to 10 other offences, including an assault where he punched a 16-year-old girl twice in the head.
The couple were emotionally and physically abusive to each other, and on another occasion Lewis threw a screwdriver which lodged in her leg.
Lewis claimed, though provoked, he didn’t intend to set Ms Finemore alight, something the jury rejected.
Ms Finemore told the court she had become reclusive after the attack, fearing people would stare at her scarring.
“I prefer not to look in mirrors … I’m petrified of putting petrol into my vehicle,” she said.
“This will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
The National Domestic Violence helpline can be contacted on 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT. In an emergency call Triple-0.
