A person who set his girlfriend on fireplace has been accused of murdering her – after she died 21 years later.
Steven Paul Craig, 57, was discovered responsible of grievous bodily hurt with intent after he poured petrol over Jacqueline Kirk and set her on fireplace in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, on 18 April 1998.
He was convicted and sentenced in 2000.
Ms Kirk was badly injured on the time however survived. Yet, on 23 August 2019, Ms Kirk died in hospital aged 62 having suffered a ruptured diaphragm.
As a outcome, Craig, from York, has now been charged together with her homicide, with prosecutors arguing that the accidents he inflicted contributed to her dying.
The prosecutor advised Bristol Crown Court on Monday: “In 1998, this defendant attacked a woman by pouring petrol over her and setting her alight with a flame.
“The accidents inflicted have been of nice significance because of his actions.
“However, at that time the victim survived. As a result, the defendant was tried and punished for what he had then done.
“But the story doesn’t finish there.
“Many years later, the injured woman died as a result in part of the injuries that this defendant had inflicted on this victim.
“Therefore, we are saying that good sense and the legislation says that this defendant ought to be accountable for the complete penalties of what he did.
“The prosecution say that this defendant can be described as having murdered the victim.”
Burns lined 35% of sufferer’s physique
Ms Kirk’s accidents lined 35% of her physique, together with her face, neck, chest, torso, thighs and buttocks.
The prosecution argues that she died as a result of her pores and skin was now not capable of stretch far sufficient to accommodate the swelling of her intestines.
They additionally declare that her accidents have been the explanation docs determined to not function to restore the diaphragm and subsequently save her life.
The defence is arguing this can’t be proved.
Judge Mrs Justice Stacey advised jurors to “put emotion aside” and contemplate whether or not Ms Kirk’s burns contributed to her dying.
Craig denies the cost of homicide. The case, anticipated to final three weeks, continues.
Source: information.sky.com”