Woman doused male pal with petrol and set him on fire after comment

Daily Record

23-05-2025

Corbie Jean Walpole has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison for setting her friend Jake Loader on fire.
A woman set her friend on fire during a yard party after pouring several litres of petrol over him.
Corbie Jean Walpole has been sentenced to 7-and-a-half years in prison for setting her friend on fire following a night of heavy partying — after he allegedly said a misogynistic comment to her.
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The 24-year old poured gasoline on Jake Loader, who was 23 at the time, and set him ablaze as they were drinking in her backyard on Jan. 7, 2024, according to Australia Broadcasting Corporation.
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Walpole pleaded guilty to one charge of burning or maiming by using corrosive fluid. On the day of the party, Walpole and Loader, who had been friends for nine years, had been drinking for 12 hours.
Walpole, from Australia, consumed between 23 and 35 drinks and cocaine during the party. The victim was left with burns on over 60 per cent of his body.
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The 24-year-old attacked Loader after he allegedly told her to ' get back in the kitchen and not to drink with the boys,' the Australia Broadcasting Corporation reported. Loader sustained third-degree burns and was in an induced coma for eight days.
In court, Loader's friends heard him screaming and tried to put out the flames with a dog bed and then he was thrown into a pool, ABC reported. Walpole stood watching and said, 'What the f— have I done?' and, 'He told me to do it.'
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The judge overseeing the case described the act as unprovoked and particularly violent, fuelled by drugs and heavy drinking, the outlet reported. 'This is a tragic case, in so many ways, for the victim and his family and the offender and her family: two young lives destroyed,' Judge Jennifer English said.
In court, Walpole said she was remorseful and that she has given up drugs and alcohol. She will be eligible for parole in November 2029.
The judge in an Australian court rejected the claim that she was provoked by loaded comments. Walpole was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years jail with a minimum of four-and-a-half.
She could be seen mouthing, 'it's going to be okay' as she listened to the sentence. She will be almost 29 when she is eligible for parole.