Refugee who threw kettle of boiling water over his gay housemate saying 'in my country we do not allow you'

• Rafaat Mohamed, 54, originally from Sudan, had a 'difficult' relationship with gay housemate Kez Phillips before he threw the contents of a boiled kettle over him
• Mr Phillips had accused Mohamed of stealing just before the attack happened
• He admitted to causing actual bodily harm and sentenced to 17 months in jail

A refugee who hurled boiling water over his gay roommate and told him 'in my country we do not allow you' was jailed for 17 months today.

Rafaat Mohamed, 54, originally from Sudan, had a 'difficult' relationship with Kez Phillips before he threw the contents of a boiled kettle over him on April 28 this year.

The pair lived in the same hostel in Chelsea, west London, for six months.

+2

Rafaat Mohamed, 54, originally from Sudan, had a 'difficult' relationship with Kez Phillips before he threw the contents of a boiled kettle over him on April 28 this year, Isleworth Crown Court heard

Mohamed was in the shared kitchen making a cup of tea when Mr Phillips accused him of stealing his food and said: 'In your country, you would have your hand cut off for stealing'.

He then calmly put down his cup of tea before picking up the kettle and emptying it onto Mr Phillip's face and shirtless torso leaving him with severe blistering, Isleworth Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Oluwole Phillips told the court that Mohamed had previously made homophobic jibes towards Mr Phillips including saying 'in my country we do not allow you,' in reference to his sexuality.

Mohamed came to the UK from Sudan as a refugee in 1999.

After his arrest, Mohamed claimed it was an 'accident at best, reckless at worst.'

His lawyer, Ylenia Rosso, said that he 'accepts the danger he put the victim in.'

'He is extremely remorseful, particularly for the injuries to the victim in this case,' she added.

Ms Rosso asked Judge Robin Johnson to suspend Mohamed's sentence because he suffers from diabetes and is of previous good character.

But Judge Johnson said a suspended sentence for such an 'appalling attack' could not be justified.

'I do not know the motivation for this attack,' he added.

'In my book, throwing a kettle of boiling water is a wicked attack.

'He was treated in the hospital, required a skin graft and the strongest medication available - your attack has caused understandable trauma.

'I accept that a prison sentence will be difficult for you but in my judgement only an immediate custodial sentence can capture the public's horror at this attack.'

Mohammed, of Elm Grove, Harrow, west London, admitted causing actual bodily harm.

He was emotionless as he was jailed for 17 months.