Hutt Valley, New Zealand – A man from Lower Hutt, Eliot Harmer, has been sentenced to 13 months in prison after a tragic accident in which his partner suffered severe burns. The incident occurred while Harmer was cooking cannabis oil at home, leading to a flash fire that left his partner hospitalized for three months.
The Incident: A Flash Fire and Devastating Burns
In April of the previous year, Harmer, aged 53, was preparing cannabis oil in a pot over an electric gas cooker in the early hours of the morning. The substance caught alight, and Harmer attempted to extinguish the fire by adding water, which caused a small explosion—a flash fire. Harmer then carried the burning pot toward an external door, warning his partner, who was seated nearby.
As Harmer attempted to throw the pot outside, his partner stood up and was accidentally engulfed in the flames. The fire spread to her dressing gown, causing third-degree burns to her right hand, arm, shoulder, and extensive burns to her face, chest, and back. The victim, who had been in the house with their children, managed to flee outside where neighbors helped put out the fire.
The Impact on the Victim
The injuries were severe and disfiguring, with the victim requiring more than 30 sedations for skin grafts and dressing changes within the following months. According to Judge Lawrence Hinton, the burns had a devastating emotional and physical impact on the victim, leaving her with permanent scars and altering her life dramatically.
The victim’s emotional toll was clear in her victim impact statement, where she described her prolonged hospital stay, inability to talk, eat, or breathe properly, and the emotional scars that have left her “emotionally scarred.” Judge Hinton noted the victim’s pain and her profound sense of loss after the incident.
Harmer’s Regret and Background
Harmer, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges related to causing injuries that could have led to death, expressed deep remorse for his actions in court. Tearfully, he acknowledged his recklessness in the kitchen, noting that although he did not intend to harm his partner, his actions caused significant injury.
A report on Harmer’s background revealed a difficult childhood, mental health struggles, literacy issues, and a cannabis use disorder, all of which contributed to his reckless actions. Harmer had written a letter to the court expressing his regret and desire for a second chance, reflecting on his need to improve his life.
Court Sentencing
Judge Hinton sentenced Harmer to 13 months in prison, starting with a 22-month sentence that was reduced due to Harmer’s guilty plea and the personal challenges outlined in his background report. Harmer will also serve six months of post-release conditions. Despite earlier indications that he might receive a community-based sentence, Harmer was ultimately jailed due to a lack of a suitable address to serve such a sentence.
The case highlights the severe consequences of unsafe cannabis oil production, a reminder of the dangers of homemade extraction methods, which can lead to devastating accidents when not handled properly.
