A Brazilian woman who caused horrifying injuries to a transvestite by showering him with petrol at his Birmingham home and then setting him alight has been convicted of attempted murder.
Gabryela Passos was told to expect a “very long custodial sentence” by Judge Robert Jukes QC, after being found guilty of the charge by a jury at the city’s Crown Court.
The judge adjourned the case for reports to be prepared on Passos who he said needed to be assessed for dangerousness.
He also thanked the jury for the care they had taken “in this extremely difficult and horrifying case”.
The court heard that Passos attacked Ricardo da Silva after accusing him of selling property that had belonged to her including a LouisVuitton handbag.
Afterwards Det Insp Samantha Ridding said: “It has been a very challenging investigation.
“It is one of the most horrendous matters I personally have had to deal with.
“The verdict has gone a very small way to compensating Ricardo for the injuries that he has received, the injuries he has been left with for the rest of his life.
“Whatever the catalyst was for what happened I do not think we will ever know.”
Before the trial Passos, 29, of Hogarth Road, Earls Court, London, had admitted a charge of arson with intend to endanger life.
Her co-accused, Raphael Modesto, 22, of Villiers Street, Charing Cross, also London, was acquitted of both attempted murder and the same arson charge but was told by the judge that he must remain in custody while his immigration status was considered.
