Man's boiling rage

Shaun Rooke flew into a rage on the day he hoped for a reconciliation with Michelle Hill, Worcester Crown Court was told.

He called at her Hereford flat, made himself a hot drink, then discovered her in bed with Simon Tremlett, said Tony Fryer, prosecuting.

Rooke returned to the kitchen, picked up the kettle and threw the contents over the pair in bed.

Mr Tremlett was left with permanent scars on his face and left arm. Miss Hill suffered a badly scalded hand.

Rooke, aged 32, was jailed for three years yesterday.

The defendant and Miss Hill had a volatile relationship over a number of years and had two children.

After a split, Rooke met her on April 30 and there was talk about a possible reconciliation, said Mr Fryer.

But she kept her new romance a secret and Rooke only found out after he let himself into her home with a key the same night.

"He lost his cool seeing her in bed with another man," said Mr Fryer.

Rooke, who admitted causing Mr Tremlett grievous bodily harm with intent and assaulting Miss Hill, causing her actual bodily harm, was arrested by police in the early hours.

Mr Tremlett had scalds to his face, chest, arms and a shoulder. He needed treatment in a hospital's burns unit.

Miss Hill, who was also taken to hospital, wrote letters to Rooke while he was in custody on remand.

Defence counsel Christopher Quinlan confirmed she was anxious to resume their relationship and felt some responsibility for the horror attack.

He said the intended target was her lover but unfortunately Miss Hill was injured as well.

Rooke, of Standale Road, Redhill, Hereford, had a good 11-year work record and no previous convictions.

Judge Ian Morris said Rooke realised at the flat that he had been betrayed. Miss Hill now felt guilty.

He was still infatuated with her and became angry and jealous by her sleeping with another man.

The judge said one of Rooke's fears that night was over what would happen to his two children.