Woman jailed for Birmingham transvestite murder bid
A woman who used a bucket of petrol to cause horrific life-threatening burns to a transvestite was jailed for 20 years today.
Brazilian national Gabryela Passos, who set light to Ricardo da Silva after a row over a missing handbag and lap-top, will also face deportation after serving her sentence.
Passos, of Hogarth Street, Earls Court, west London, was convicted in August of attempting to murder Mr da Silva at his flat in the Digbeth area of Birmingham.
Passing sentence on Passos at Birmingham Crown Court, Judge Robert Juckes QC described the 29-year-old's attack on her fellow Brazilian as an "evil" and appallingly serious offence.
Mr da Silva, who gave evidence at Passos' trial from behind a screen, was present in the public gallery to see his attacker jailed.
The 25-year-old victim - who was initially given less than a 50% chance of survival - spent more than three months in hospital, undergoing 16 operations, and still faces further surgery.
Judge Juckes began his sentencing remarks by paying tribute to the courage and fortitude of Mr da Silva, who suffered burns to 70% of his body after being engulfed in flames in the early hours of December 9 last year.
The judge, who heard that Mr da Silva will be permanently disfigured, told Passos: "A lot of the damage was to his face, which has been significantly distorted.
"There can be no doubt that he will be affected in his appearance dramatically for the rest of his life."
The judge accepted defence submissions that Passos had been dealt an extraordinarily difficult hand in life, including difficulties with her sexuality, and also that she had shown real remorse.
But the judge added: "I am afraid they are completely overwhelmed by the evil of what you did on that night because you had fallen out with him over the loss of your computer and property.
"The use of petrol in this way must be regarded as the most extreme form of aggravation."
Passos, who covered her face with her hands when the sentence was announced, appeared to mouth the word "sorry" in the direction of Mr da Silva before being led to the cells.
