POLICE HAVE remanded a Larnaca man in custody for eight days after he attacked and his ex-girlfriend and set her on fire in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The 34-year-old woman managed to put out the flames on the upper part of her body by diving into a puddle in the road in front of her apartment building.
The suspect Andreas Costa Andreou, 36, is under investigation for attempted murder and domestic violence. He is said to have already confessed in a statement to Nicosia CID Investigators.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that the suspect may have wanted to disfigure his former girlfriend rather than murder her.
The victim is said to be in a stable but serious condition at the Nicosia General Hospital where doctors have confirmed that she had suffered burns to 32 per cent of her body.
According to police, the woman had ended her two year relationship with Andreou in October last year but her obsessive ex had refused to accept it.
In the past the woman had complained that Andreou had stalked and harassed her in an attempt to win her back.
According to police, his desperation took a twisted turn in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The suspect waited for his ex-girlfriend to return home after a night out and attacked her as she walked towards the entrance of her apartment building in Latsia.
After knocking her to the ground, he then doused her in petrol and set her light before running away.
The cries of help were heard by neighbours who immediately called the police as she threw herself into a pot hole filled with rain water to extinguish the fire.
Police and medics who arrived shortly afterwards found the woman covered with burns to her face, neck and other areas of her upper body.
She was rushed to Nicosia General Hospital by ambulance at around 4.20am where doctors treated her burns and placed her on a respirator.
The woman is said to be still experiencing breathing difficulties from the fire.
Police later arrested Andreou, who is said to be suffering from psychological problems, in the Stavrovouni area of Nicosia. Sources state that arresting officers found weed-killer on him and that he may have been planning to commit suicide.
Yesterday, Judge Alexia Lycourgou remanded Andreou in police custody for eight days in light of the preliminary investigation against him.
Yesterday’s court proceedings were conducted behind closed doors because one of the offences was allegedly committed needed discretion due to the Domestic Violence Act.
??
??
??
??
