Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

A mother of three young children, who doused a 16-year-old schoolboy with acid, has been jailed for eight years.

Ingrid Owens, factory worker, of 28 Fenbrook Avenue, Kingston 2, was sentenced after she pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Mrs. Justice Marva McDonald Bishop, in sentencing Owens in the Home Circuit Court, spoke out against the "culture", particularly by those living in tenement yards, of launching acid attacks. The judge said what Owens did was radically wrong and therefore she had to go to prison. The judge referred to reports that since the incident, the schoolboy was confused, uncertain and just walking like a "zombie".

The facts of the case, as outlined by Natalie Brooks, Crown Counsel, were that on December 14, 2005, Owens threw a corrosive substance on the schoolboy. Owens and the schoolboy's family members lived in the same yard.

On the day in question, Owens and the schoolboy's sister had a dispute and both women began throwing stonesat each other. During the dispute the schoolboy, who was walking with his back turned to Owens, felt a burning sensation to his back and discovered that Owens had thrown acid on him. He was hospitalised for two months.

- barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com