Parents mystified over NZ man accused of burning girlfriend

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The parents of the New Zealand man accused of setting his girlfriend on fire are mystified as to what could have prompted such an act of violence. Former Aucklander Jonathan Pau'u, 22, is in custody in Perth on a charge of committing grievous bodily harm with intent to do so while his girlfriend, also a New Zealander, is in hospital with serious burns to almost half her body.

His parents have flown to Perth to see him and get answers.

Witnesses heard yelling coming from a park near their home in the suburb of Gosnells before she started screaming and was seen running around with her clothes on fire.

Pau'u's mother, who declined to be named, told the Herald no one knew actually what went on.

"No one has spoken to him or the girl. All we know is what the media is saying and police and witnesses."

She said there were two sides to every story and looked forward to seeing her son and hearing what he had to say.

It was a "kick in the face" to see publicity about the incident before the family had chance to speak to him. "We've got enough to deal with it."

They were supporting each other through prayer.

New details have emerged about the incident that horrified residents who tried to put the burning woman out.

A police spokesman told the Herald it would be alleged Pau'u went to the park in Tay Court, Gosnells, to meet his girlfriend.

"He had earlier poured some petrol into water bottle at his address nearby. At the park they entered into heated argument and the accused poured the petrol over her and used an unknown ignition source to set her alight."

After she caught fire she dropped to the ground to extinguish the flames and then removed her clothes. She suffered burns to her face, chest and sides.

The spokesman said Pau'u received burns to his hands, face neck and hair, caused by the heat generated from the lighting of the petrol he allegedly poured on his girlfriend.

Pau'u was also admitted to hospital and had his first court appearance. He has been remanded in custody to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court next Wednesday.

A witness said Pau'u appeared more distressed than the burned woman.

Another, Steele St Claire-Baker, 26, described her injuries.

"Most of her top half was burned and peeled. It was a horrible thing to see," he told The West Australian newspaper.