Man poured hot oil onto partner’s face

A 35-year-old man poured hot oil from a deep fat fryer over the face of his partner to disfigure her so that no-one else would look at her, Craigavon Court heard.
Craigavon Courthouse. INPT21-239.Craigavon Courthouse. INPT21-239.
Craigavon Courthouse. INPT21-239.

Felician Ioan Gyorfi, no fixed abode, appeared by videolink from Maghaberry prison last week.

It is alleged that on July 7 he unlawfully and maliciously caused grievous bodily harm to a female with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm.

A bail application was made on his behalf but this was refused at the High Court in Belfast on Tuesday.

A police officer explained that Gyorfi presented himself at Edward Street police station.

She added that he admitted throwing cooking oil into the face of his girlfriend who was now attending the burns unit at the Royal Hospital.

The officer said that when interviewed the defendant made a full admission. He said he had thrown the oil from a deep fat fryer over her face. His plan was to disfigure her so that no-one else would look at her.

She added that the victim was terrified of the defendant and was still suffering as a result of this incident.

The officer said that Gyorfi had approached a friend of the injured party to say that he would give her money if she needed re-constructive surgery.

Police were opposing bail, she added, on the grounds of interference with witnesses and said a bail address which had been put forward was in Portadown and too close to the victim.

She handed in photographs of the victim to the judge.

A solicitor for the defendant said he had a bail address at a friend’s property in Portadown and he had resided there on a previous occasion.

He added that the friend was also willing to act as a surety and a cash surety of £500 to £1000 could be obtained.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said this was a serious charge and serious injuries were caused.

He was very concerned about the reason the defendant wanted to disfigure the victim and it gave him no confidence that he would not re-offend against the same victim.

Refusing bail the judge there was a risk of interference with the victim, the injured party was considered to be at a high risk and he had limited knowledge of the defendant’s background.

He remanded Gyorfi in custody to appear by videolink on October 2.

At the High Court, Gyorfi said he had poured the hot oil over his partner’s face because she had cheated on him.

A judge shown pictures of the burns said the woman could have been blinded in the attack