Penis-burning woman detained until next court appearance

A woman who used fondue fuel to set her boyfriend's penis on fire will spend the holidays in jail.

Police arrested Andree Rene last week after she failed to turn up in
court for sentencing arguments on a charge of aggravated assault. She
was ordered Monday to remain in custody until her Jan. 8 sentencing
hearing. Rene, who will turn 44 next week, was led into the courtroom
in handcuffs. They were taken off briefly when she was questioned in
the witness box.

In April 2001, Rene's boyfriend went to bed following a heated
argument between them. As he snoozed, Rene doused the man's private
parts with fuel and set them aflame.

The 52-year-old spent a month in hospital after suffering third-degree burns in the pelvic area and on his chest.

Crown prosecutor Steeve Lariviere reprimanded the woman for breaking
her bail conditions, saying she failed to notify the court of her
change of address in Sorel, northeast of Montreal.

She had also been ordered not to consume any alcohol.

Rene told the court she missed the earlier legal date because she had to visit a doctor for a pain in her shoulder.

"She's going to stay detained until the end of the proceedings," Lariviere told reporters outside the courtroom.

"That's the consequences of her absence. . she was free but we revoked her bail conditions."

Rene, who was found guilty last year, faces a maximum sentence of 14
years in prison and the Crown attorney said he will seek a prison
sentence.

"Sentencing is not revenge. . .(but) at this point we do not have a common recommendation," Lariviere said.

He added that negotiations were continuing with Rene's lawyer.

Lariviere said the woman underwent an earlier psychiatric examination and was found fit to stand trial.