WOMAN THREW BOILING WATER OVER HER CARER

Victim left with severe burns after attack

A WOMAN threw boiling water over a carer who was left with severe burns.

Megan Bond, aged 22, was a resident at a rehabilitation hospital for women in Leek when she became upset as she was not allowed ceramic crockery in her apartment.

When she was told she could only have plastic plates and bowls she threw a pan of boiling water at her carer.

Now Bond has been made the subject of a hospital order at Stoke-on-trent Crown Court.

Prosecutor Richard Mcconaghy said the defendant was a resident at Ballington House, a rehabilitation hospital providing services for women with complex health issues. The defendant had been a resident there since March 2019 but on June 1 last year she complained that crockery in her apartment had been removed.

Mr Mcconaghy said: “The victim said he would check to see if she was allowed ceramic crockery.

“She was alone in her apartment, stood at the hob boiling water with a packet of noodles. He approached her and told her she was only allowed plastic crockery.

“Without warning she picked up the boiling pan of water and launched its contents over the carer. He was about two to three metres away. He was facing directly towards her but was able to turn to the side so the boiling water landed on his back and side.

“He exited the room and ran under cold water in the shower. She was locked inside her apartment.”

Staff went in and gave her medication. Mr Mcconaghy said: “She looked at the team leader and said, ‘If you carry on you will be the next one to have hot water over you’.”

The victim went to the Royal Stoke on five separate occasions for medical treatment. The attack has led to him leaving his job and seeking a new career.

Bond, formerly of Ballington House, Ballington Gardens, Leek, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Anis Ali, mitigating, said the defendant has a troubled history. He added: “Should the intervention be affected it is likely to have an adverse effect upon her.”

Judge Graeme Smith said: “The carer was in the wrong place at the wrong time on June 1 last year. It is clear you had no personal grievance against him. But for reasons clearly linked to your mental health issues you became aggrieved and threw a pan of boiling water at him. It was spontaneous and was linked to your health issues at the time.”

The judge said the defendant has an unstable personality disorder and an underlying schizophrenic illness which requires treatment.

Judge Smith added: “I am satisfied you were suffering from a mental disorder at the time which makes it appropriate for you to be detained in hospital for medical treatment under section 37 of the Mental Health Act.”