Philadelphia
Burn me baby! 
Woman sentenced to 4 years for torching boyfriend's penis
Last Updated: Wednesday, February 28, 2007 | 6:48 PM ET
CBC News
A Montreal woman who poured fondue fuel over her sleeping boyfriend and lit his penis on fire has been sentenced to four years in prison.
Quebec Judge Louis Legault sentenced Andrée René, 44, to 30 more months in prison, crediting her with 18 months for the time she has already served.
René must also undergo psychological counselling for alcohol abuse and aggression while she's in prison, and is prohibited from owning guns or combustible materials for 10 years after being released.
The sentencing ends a six-year saga that started in April 2001 when René was dating Guillaume Pungu. The couple had spent an evening of drinking and arguing when René poured fondue fuel over Pungu's body while he was sleeping.
He awoke when René set him on fire, scorching his abdomen and genitals. Pungu suffered third-degree burns and was hospitalized for a week, followed by a month of rehabilitation.
Pungu, who died last year of unrelated causes, was traumatized physically and psychologically by René's attack, lawyers said.
He suffered insomnia and nightmares, was scared of lighters and fire, and had problems with intimacy.
"He had difficulties entering into other relationships after the incident," Crown prosecutor Steeve Larivière said Wednesday.
René was arrested after the 2001 assault and eventually released on bail pending her trial. She was arrested again after she failed to appear in court in November 2006 for her sentencing arguments.
During the sentencing arguments, the court heard René has a history of behavioural problems, has been a victim of abusive relationships and harbours deep anger towards men.
Continue Article
MORE MONTREAL HEADLINES »
ADQ still opposed to Quebec Liberal tax cuts
Quebec's opposition leader Mario Dumont called premier Jean Charest's inaugural address "weak" and said he doesn't harbour much enthusiasm for the Liberals' promised tax cuts.
Bail hearing postponed for man accused in Montreal hit-run
A Montreal man accused of driving drunk and hitting a 23-year old woman appeared in court briefly on Thursday only to have his bail hearing postponed after his lawyer asked for more time to review the case.
Mulroney honoured for helping Quebecers gain 'nation' status
Brian Mulroney is being honoured by the Quebec bar association for his work that led to the recognition of the "Quebecois nation."
Man charged after mass murder threats found on MySpace
A 25-year old Dorval man faces charges of uttering death threats after police discovered disturbing messages on a MySpace blog.
Mediator assigned to transit talks
Quebec has assigned a mediator to resolve an ongoing labour dispute between the City of Montreal and public transit maintenance workers, who are threatening to strike at the end of the month.
Canada Features
VIDEO FEATUREAir India
* Tragedy timeline (Runs 18:08)
* In depth
VIEWPOINT/ANALYSISPolitics
Larry Zolf on Harper's new balanced Mideast views
FEATUREAir quality
Changing how we assess the air we breathe
VALUE ADDEDMadelaine Drohan
Should we worry about foreign takeovers?
LEGAL AFFAIRSMichelle Mann
Bertha Wilson certainly made her legal mark
Story Tools: E