‘THE VICTIM FELT THE HOT WATER BURNING HER SKIN’

57-year-old jailed after using kettle to injure woman

ABUSIVE Sandra Rowley left a woman with burns after grabbing a kettle and tipping hot water over her.

The 57-year-old has now been jailed for 20 weeks following the incident at the defendant’s home which dates back to May, 2018.

Stoke-on-trent Crown Court heard police had earlier been to the address before leaving because no crime had been committed.

Prosecutor Caroline Harris said: “The defendant and the victim then went to the shops hand-in-hand before returning to the defendant’s home.

“The atmosphere changed after the victim said she could not lend the defendant any money. The defendant became abusive.

“She then asked if the victim wanted a cappuccino. She said she did and they went to the kitchen.

“The defendant was agitated and picked up a knife several times. The victim moved it out of the way. The defendant asked her to leave and she agreed to go.

“The defendant threatened that if she did not leave she would put sugar in the kettle and throw it on her throat.

“The defendant lifted the kettle from the base and the victim tried to run. The complainant fell over. The defendant flipped up the lid of the kettle.

“The complainant begged her, ‘please do not do this’, but the defendant poured the water on to her.

“The complainant felt her skin burning. She went outside and was in a highly distressed state. She attended hospital for her burn injuries.”

Rowley, formerly of Second Avenue, Porthill, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Catherine O’reilly, mitigating, said the defendant has no previous convictions or cautions, adding: “She has had a very difficult time of late.

Her life has really spiralled. “She did not want the victim at her property. There were calls made to the police prior.

“She has been candid that she has a problem with alcohol and it is clear she has made really good progress regarding overcoming her alcohol addiction.”

The defendant has been locked up at HMP Foston Hall.

Judge David Fletcher said: “It is quite clear that this was an extremely unfortunate experience for the victim.

“As a result of the defendant’s consistent failures to attend court she was remanded by me and has spent the last seven weeks in Foston Hall.

“If she is to remain there for a short period longer there is a real prospect of some assistance being given to accommodating her in the community.

“Unless she has any input she does create a risk to the public and herself.

“Appropriate punishment can only be achieved by an immediate and short prison sentence.”