The woman, who has since shown remorse for her devastating actions, also has a prior assault conviction.
A 24-year-old woman from southern New South Wales has been handed a prison sentence after a shocking act during a backyard gathering left her friend with life-altering injuries.
Corbie Jean Walpole from Howlong will spend seven-and-a-half years behind bars for setting her friend, Jake Loader, on fire during a night of heavy drinking on January 7, 2024.
The two first crossed paths when Loader was a student at St Paul’s College, a boarding school located in Walla Walla, roughly 40 kilometers north of Albury.
Loader, who resides in outback Queensland, had returned to Howlong to reconnect with old friends, including Walpole, for a night of drinking that also involved celebrating a 21st birthday.
According to court proceedings at Albury District Court, the celebrations spiraled into tragedy when Walpole doused Loader, who was 23 at the time, in petrol. She then ignited it, leaving him with severe third-degree burns over more than half of his body.
The court was informed that the attack followed an argument in which Loader reportedly told Walpole to “get back in the kitchen” and not drink with the men, sparking her violent response. At the time, Walpole was working as an electrician.
The incident took place at Walpole’s home, where the two had been partying. On the fateful night, Walpole and Loader, who had been friends for nearly a decade, had been drinking heavily for about 12 hours.
Their night began around 8 p.m. on January 6, 2024, when they started drinking with friends at the Howlong Golf Resort. By 10 p.m., they had moved on to the 21st birthday celebration, followed by another party in North Albury. Eventually, around 4 a.m., they ended up in the backyard of Walpole’s home.
As they partied, Walpole reportedly consumed between 23 and 35 standard alcoholic drinks, used cocaine, and continued drinking after returning to her backyard.However, Walpole and Loader allegedly provoked each other, with Walpole acting after Loader made what was referred to as “misogynist comments.” “He was antagonising me. He told me to go to the kitchen where I belong because I’m a girl. I gave it back to him and called him a misogynist,” Walpole shared.
Walpole also told the District Court that Loader had attempted to wrestle her and disturb her sleeping boyfriend. She said, “He was really pushing my buttons,” and admitted she felt overwhelmed by his presence and unsure of how to respond.
The situation boiled over when Loader made the sexist remark, suggesting Walpole belonged in the kitchen baking scones instead of drinking with men. At that point, Walpole left the outdoor table, retrieved a five-litre jerry can of fuel from her garage, and returned.
She then poured the petrol over Loader, who was still seated, and brandished a cigarette lighter. “I’ll do it,” she warned. “Go on, do it,” he responded. Walpole then set him alight, and he was instantly engulfed in flames.
In the chaos that followed, Walpole reportedly stood nearby, repeating, “What the [expletive] have I done?” and “He told me to do it.” Loader’s friends, who were at the Howlong residence, heard his screams and rushed to help.
They tried to smother the flames with a dog bed before throwing him into a pool in a desperate attempt to extinguish the fire.
Walpole fled the scene as neighbors began hearing Loader’s desperate screams. Authorities later apprehended her while she was driving along the Riverina Highway, en route from Howlong to Albury.
Later that day, Walpole reached out to Loader’s girlfriend, Annabelle McGee, via text message around 3 p.m., writing, “Hey, I wanted to let Jake know I’m really sorry for everything that’s happened. I made a really stupid decision and I own that. It was a mistake and I wish I could go back in time. I hope he is OK. I am really sorry.”
