A 40-year-old Quakers Hill man has been charged with allegedly hiring a 17-year-old to set fire to a woman in Sydney earlier this year.
The 33-year-old woman was walking to work in Chippen Lane, Chippendale, about 9.45pm on Thursday, March 22, when she was doused in an accelerant and set alight. The offender then ran from the area.
The victim was assisted by a colleague, who extinguished the flames, before police from Redfern police and NSW Ambulance Paramedics were called to the scene.
The woman was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in critical condition with severe burns to her face and body.
She was later discharged but continues to undergo daily hospital treatment.
Redfern Detectives formed Strike Force Musca to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Yesterday, Wednesday, July 18, a 17-year-old male youth attended Redfern Police Station with his legal representative.
He was taken into custody and questioned by strike force detectives before being charged with cause wounding/grievous bodily harm to person with intent to murder.
The Cartwright teenager was refused bail and appeared in Bidura Children’s Court today Thursday, July 19.
Following information received, the 40-year-old man was arrested by police at Coffs Harbour, on the state’s north coast, about 9.30am today.
He was taken to Coffs Harbour police where he was interviewed by strike force detectives.
He has since been charged with causing wounding/grievous bodily harm with intent to murder and recruiting a child to carry out criminal act.
He’s been refused bail and will appear before Coffs Harbour Local Court tomorrow, Friday, July 20.