A man who poured a kettle of boiling water mixed with sugar over his pregnant girlfriend has been jailed for a total of 2 and a half years.

Michael Lynch had denied a charge of 'assault causing harm' to 25 year old Tara Bird at their flat on Old Youghal Road in Cork city in 2015.

The court heard Lynch carried out the attack because he was jealous of his girlfriend looking at another man.

The jury at Cork Circuit Criminal Court found Lynch guilty of the assault charge but they found him not guilty of threatening to kill Ms Bird.

Ms Bird told the court in her Victim Impact Statement about how her life has changed hugely since the assault and the third degree burn she suffered to her leg as a result of Lynch’s attack on her.

“I spent ten days in hospital after this where surgeons performed a skin graft on my left leg – I can’t explain how much excruciating pain and shock that this caused me,” said Ms Bird.

“After this, I wasn’t only in fear for my own life and safety but also the life and safety of my unborn baby and I worried about this right up until he was born,” she said before outlining its impact.

“My confidence and self esteem are at an all time low – the impact this will have on my future - for example as a young woman, I am now restricted in my everyday life.

“For instance I can never expose my leg to sunlight and I don’t think I will ever have the confidence to wear a dress or a skirt again -I am reminded of this horrific attack daily when I dress and shower.”