‘Die’ said man as he set ex-partner alight

A man who poured petrol on his former partner and set her alight – while she was holding their 3-month old baby – has been jailed for 5 ⁄ years.

Shiva Lachman Anand, 33, was sentenced at the Rotorua District Court yesterday in a case Judge Philip Cooper said was ‘‘an extreme example of domestic violence’’.

The arson attack, and a preceding assault, were also witnessed by the victim’s 9-year-old daughter.

The police summary said that after an argument, Anand’s former partner removed the key to the home from his key ring, prompting him to demand it back and he put her in a headlock.

Anand eventually left and an angry exchange of text messages followed, before Anand returned. He was holding a petrol can and lighter.

‘‘The defendant ... then began to splash petrol around the lounge and kitchen area,’’ the summary said.

The victim attempted to wrestle the petrol can from Anand – all the time holding their three-month-old baby.

The defendant then poured petrol onto the victim and yelled ‘‘You’re going to die b...h’’. Then Anand set the petrol alight.

The victim and children fled the property with Anand following ‘‘throwing the petrol can at them’’.

Anand’s former partner suffered bruising to her hands, forearms and head, while both children were left deeply traumatised.

Judge Cooper revealed the arson caused $185,000 worth of damage to the property and destroyed all the victim’s and her childrens’ possessions, all of which were uninsured.

He said a pre-sentence report found Anand lacked insight into the consequences of his actions, which he said were ‘‘fuelled by maliciousness and spiteful intent’’.