Woman poured kettle of boiling water over lover’s disabled ex-wife as he watched
A woman poured a kettle of boiling water on her new lover’s disabled ex-wife, while he watched and did nothing to help, a court heard.
Stephen Turner, 67, and Emily Banks, 30, were jailed after the senseless attack in Nottingham that left the victim, in her 50s, with burns covering 15% of her body.
Jealous Banks had pushed the woman to the floor after an argument before dousing her with up to two litres of scalding water, their trial at Nottingham crown court heard.
As she lay screaming in pain, Turner – who had watched the attack – walked out of the room and closed the door, ignoring her pleas for help.
The victim, who couldn’t move her left side following a stroke, eventually managed to get outside where she sought help from two passers-by, who phoned an ambulance.
A jury heard how Turner and his ex had remained on good terms after their marriage came to an end.
On July 8 last year the two had been out drinking and eating together and later went back to Turner’s home in Radford.
Banks, who is a mother, then found out they were together, went round and an argument ensured.
Turner was making the victim a cup of coffee at the time and flicked the hot water at her.
As he sentenced Banks, Judge Mark Watson described what happened next: ‘You (Banks) pushed her to the floor and while she was on the floor you kicked her and then poured the boiling water over her.
‘She had no mobility on her left side having suffered a stroke. She was powerless to defend herself.
‘She described feeling like her body was on fire and begged you to let her go. Throughout this you called her “a whore” and told her Stephen was yours.
‘Mr Turner saw you throw the water over her but he just waited outside the room having closed the door, leaving Emily Banks to attack her.
‘He needed to show solidarity with Banks who he had betrayed that evening.’
The victim was in court last week to see the pair jailed.
In impact statements read to the court, she said: ‘I did not know I was in danger that night and then someone I trusted caused these injuries.
‘I loved Steve at one point and then he did this to me and now I don’t trust anyone.
‘The scars will never go away and I will always have the constant reminder of that awful attack that night.
‘I feel scared all the time and I don’t think I will ever know why they did what they did.’
Turner and Banks, who had both denied their crimes and claimed the victim’s injuries were self-inflicted, were found guilty of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm with intent.
Banks, of The Friary, Nottingham, received a 10-year sentence and Turner, of Hazelwood Road, was locked up for eight years.
Roger Wilson, defending Banks, said his client grew up in care. He said: ‘She has a personality disorder and that may have affected her on this particular day.’
Richard Thatcher, for Turner, said his client does have previous convictions but nothing for violence for almost three decades.
He said: ‘He is someone who worked in foundries and paint spraying and as a consequence suffers emphysema.
‘He is someone who is not in the best of health and is going to find a lengthy custodial sentence extremely difficult.’
Detective Constable Jack Beecroft, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: ‘This was an appalling attack on a disabled woman who could not defend herself.
‘It is difficult to imagine the pain and terror she must have experienced when this full kettle of boiling water was poured on her, and she was attacked by people she knew.
‘Banks and Turner then failed to admit the offence – putting the victim through further anxiety and the ordeal of a crown court trial.
‘I am pleased our investigation was able to untangle their lies and they have now been put behind bars.’
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