'She should stay in the kitchen....': Australian woman sets friend on fire after sexist remark

A young woman in Australia has pleaded guilty to setting her longtime friend on fire after he made a misogynistic remark during a night of partying, a court heard earlier this month, reports the New York Post .

Corbie Jean Walpole admitted to the arson attack on Jake Loader in New South Wales last year. The court was told Walpole was “overwhelmed” by Loader’s behaviour throughout the evening before she snapped in response to a sexist comment he made at a house party, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Loader reportedly told Walpole, “she should stay in the kitchen making scones” if she couldn’t keep up with drinking like the boys. That comment pushed Walpole over the edge.

According to the ABC, she went to the garage, grabbed a gallon of petrol, and returned to douse Loader with the flammable liquid. Holding a lighter, she waved it at him threateningly.

“Go on, do it,” Loader challenged her. Walpole, who had been drinking and using cocaine, admitted to the court that she then touched him with the lighter, setting him on fire.

Loader suffered burns to 55% of his body and had to be placed in a medically induced coma for eight days. A victim impact statement revealed that he underwent ten surgeries and spent 74 days in the burns unit at a hospital in Melbourne. The extent of his injuries means he can no longer go out in the sun due to severe skin damage.

The court also heard that Walpole had been abusing drugs and alcohol following a breakup in 2022, and said she regretted what she had done.

“To this day I feel horrible, remorseful, guilty for what I have done to Jake, not only Jake but his family, his loved ones, his mutual friends … anyone who has been impacted in this entire case,” Walpole told the court. “I find it very hard to believe the injuries that were caused was from my doing. I would do anything to go back in time.”