Chinese teen sentenced to 12-year jail term for assault

Police officers escort a teenager surnamed Tao to the Baohe District People's Court in Hefei, capital of Anhui province, May 10. Tao was convicted of intentional assault after he disfigured his schoolmate, surnamed Zhou, who rejected him.[Photo/CFP]

HEFEI - A teenager convicted of setting fire to a girl who turned down his romantic advances received a first-instance verdict of 12 years and one month in jail on Thursday in an east China court.

The judge reads Tao's verdict on May 10 at the Baohe District People's Court in Hefei, capital of Anhui province.  [Photo/CFP]

The verdict was made as the 17-year-old boy, surnamed Tao, was convicted of intentional assault after he disfigured his schoolmate, surnamed Zhou, who rejected him, according to the Baohe District People's Court in Hefei, capital of Anhui province.

Tao, the son of a low-level functionary couple, went to Zhou's home on September 11, 2011, poured gasoline on her face and ignited it with a lighter. Zhou's aunt heard screams and came to the girl's rescue, put the fire out and rushed her to hospital. Tao was arrested the following day.

The hospital diagnosis indicated that about 32 percent of the girl's body had been burned. Zhou's left ear was mutilated and most of her face disfigured, which is considered a severe injury, and her neck and left hand were also seriously injured.

The defendant said in court that he would decide whether to launch an appeal after further consideration.

The case prompted public outcry after the victim's mother detailed the gruesome details of the assault online, posting photos of her daughter's bandage-wrapped face.

The girl's parents had previously requested a public hearing, but their request was rejected based on the defendant's status as a minor.

Police officers escort Tao to the Baohe District People's Court in Hefei, capital of Anhui province, May 10. Tao was convicted of intentional assault after he disfigured his schoolmate, surnamed Zhou, who rejected him.[Photo/CFP]

Police officers escort Tao to the Baohe District People's Court in Hefei, capital of Anhui province, May 10. Tao was convicted of intentional assault after he disfigured his schoolmate, surnamed Zhou, who rejected him.[Photo/CFP]