10:00am Saturday 4th September 2010
By Nigel Freedman
A sadistic father plunged his daughter's hand into a basin of scalding water to punish her.
Richard Tampin lured the trusting three-year-old to the bathroom and held her hand and wrist in the water as she screamed in agony.
Tampin then waited for at least 50 minutes for the girl's mother Karen Witherell to come home before calling an ambulance.
He and Witherell then repeatedly lied to police and the courts in an attempt to cover up what had happened - claiming the toddler had caused the injuries herself at the home in Lower South Street, St Leonards.
The deeply traumatised tot suffered third degree burns which have left her scarred both physically and mentally for life.
She has had skin grafts and surgeons fear she may never fully regain the use of her damaged hand and will need further surgery.
Tampin, 42, was jailed for 12 years after pleading guilty to causing the little girl grievous bodily harm with intent.
Witherell, 40, was given a 12 month prison sentence suspended for two years after admitting perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
See today's Argus for full report.
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