Man and woman who poured hot water and bleach over victim in horror attack jailed

A man and woman who subjected a woman to a brutal assault in which they poured hot water and bleach over their victim’s head have been jailed.

Sean Ferry, 36, and Melissa Gardiner, 32, attacked the victim at a flat in Edinburgh on October 25, 2023.

The High Court had heard how the duo repeatedly struck the woman on the head with an ashtray before repeatedly striking her on the head with pliers. The pair then instructed her to sit on a chair and then lit a deodorant can which they then used to singe her hair.

Ferry and Gardiner then poured a container of hot water and the household cleaning product over the woman’s head and body.

The story emerged after Ferry and Gardiner, also of Edinburgh, appeared for sentencing on Friday before Lord Lake.

The two accused were convicted of the assault following proceedings earlier this year. Ferry was also convicted of assaulting a man at a flat in Edinburgh on October 24, 2023. The victim was repeatedly punched on the head and body to his “severe injury”.

Gardiner’s lawyer, Kelly Duling, told Lord Lake that her client was remorseful for her actions.

Speaking about an interview Gardiner had with a court-appointed social worker, Ms Duling added: “She has deep shame. She shows strident insight and advanced understanding of the consequences of her actions.“

Passing sentence, Lord Lake ordered Gardiner to be jailed for three years and told her she’d be supervised for 12 months following her release from custody.

Ferry was told he’d serve seven years in jail and be supervised for two years following his release from prison.

He told the pair: “In all of the circumstances, only a custodial disposal is appropriate in the circumstances.”