A man who inflicted an “horrendous and premeditated” attack on his wife before setting himself on fire has been jailed for 14 years.

Ipswich Star: Vytis Grigatitis captured on CCTV Picture: SUFFOLK CONSTABULARYVytis Grigatitis captured on CCTV Picture: SUFFOLK CONSTABULARY (Image: Archant)

Vytis Grigatitis appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on May 18 where he pleaded guilty to attempted murder and was sentenced. He was also given a restraining order lasting 15 years.

The incident took place on October 11 at the 44-year-old’s home in Nansen Road, Ipswich.

The court heard that Grigatitis and his wife were having marital difficulties and he had asked her to come home early to discuss some matters.

When she arrived home at around 10.30pm, she had a male friend and two others with her.

Grigatitis tried to punch the male friend and chased him out of the house. When he returned he hit his wife around the face, causing her to fall to the ground.

He dragged her towards a wheelie bin, took out a bottle of bleach and poured its contents over her head, followed by a container of petrol.

He kept hold of the victim while trying to spark a lighter, which failed to ignite.

Grigatitis then poured fuel on himself and set it alight, before running across the road and extinguishing himself.

Emergency services were called to the scene and found Grigatitis, who had sustained 60% burns to his body. The victim sustained pain to her jaw, but suffered no serious injuries in the ordeal.

Police enquiries found that Grigatitis had bought the petrol earlier that evening and had placed the bleach into the bin before the victim returned.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Power said: “This was an horrendous and premeditated attack, which could have resulted in the victim being killed or suffering terrible injuries.

“Vytis Grigatitis was clearly intent on inflicting this level of harm on his wife, as he took just 15 minutes after ending the phone conversation to go and buy the petrol he would later use in the attack, concealing it in the bin before she returned home.

“Our detectives worked extremely hard to obtain justice for her and I particularly want to acknowledge the efforts of Detective Constable Iain Forbes who, as the lead investigator, was instrumental in compiling a case against Grigatitis and achieving a guilty plea, which in turn spared the victim from having to endure the rigours of a trial.”