Man jailed 16 years for setting woman on fire

Homeless victim had to have both legs amputated

PRINCE ALBERT, SASK. •A homeless woman who was set on fire says she thinks in time she will be able to forgive her attacker, who was sentenced to a 16-year prison term Friday.

Leslie Black had pleaded guilty to attempted murder in the beating, burning and sexual assault of Marlene Bird in an alley in Prince Albert, Sask., in 2014. Her injuries were so serious both legs had to be amputated and she lost much of her eyesight.

“I’m doing my best, because my mom told me to forgive people that do wrong,” Bird said. “I think I could forgive him.”

Judge Stanley Loewen gave Black credit of four years, eight months for time already served, so he faces about 11 years in prison. Loewen also ordered that Black be supervised for 10 years after he gets out because of the “bizarre” nature of the attack.

The Crown had argued for life in prison, while the defence asked for 15 years.

Court previously heard that after the attack, Black walked to a nearby 7-Eleven and bought candy. He then walked past Bird, who was still on fire, and ignored her.

It was several hours before she was discovered, with burns so severe they exposed her facial bones.

Before he was sentenced, Black said he was “truly sorry” for the attack.

In a brief statement he read, Black said he witnessed his mother’s murder when he was nine years old.

A psychiatrist told the dangerous offender hearing that Black has at least eight separate conditions, including antisocial personality disorder and suspected fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.