Man jailed for vodka burns attack

The teenager admitted pouring vodka over the girl and setting her alight

A man has been jailed after he doused a girl's face with vodka and then set it alight in a Lincolnshire town.

Jake Johnson, 19, of no fixed address - who was originally charged with attempted murder - admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He was given an indeterminate sentence, at Lincoln Crown Court, and must serve at least three years and 230 days.

Nicolle Sizer, 15, suffered serious burns in the attack on 24 August 2008 at Brandy Wharf near Gainsborough.

Screams heard

The court heard how Johnson and Miss Sizer were among a group of teenagers from Grimsby who had been drinking at a cider centre in Brandy Wharf.

Philip Gibbs, prosecuting, said Miss Sizer taunted Johnson about the fact he was sentenced to custody in 2005 for conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm to a man who later died.

Johnson responded by telling her: "You've had it now" before throwing vodka over her and using a lighter to set fire to her face.

Friends heard the 15-year-old screaming and saw her "bouncing" around the Transit van, at the centre where the attack happened, as she tried to put out the flames, the court heard.

'Wicked act'

Miss Sizer was taken to Scunthorpe General Hospital before being transferred to a specialist unit at Newcastle General Hospital for treatment to her face, lips, chest and hands.

In a statement she said she had only been out of her home seven times in the last six months and felt paranoid about people looking at her.

As he sentenced Johnson, Judge Michael Heath said it had been a "wicked and heinous act that had a profound effect on this girl, physically and emotionally".

However, Miss Sizer's grandmother, Anita Kelly, said she was angered by the decision of the court.

"We are absolutely disgusted with the sentence," she said.

"For what he did he should not be coming out in three years".