Pump attendant who set woman ablaze in viral video charged

A 30-year-old pump attendant has been formally charged following last week's shocking gas station attack in Westmoreland that left a woman hospitalised with serious burn injuries.

Police say Collate Swaby, of Old Road in Whithorn, was charged with Assault Occasioning Bodily Harm, aggravated assault, on Monday, February 23.

The charge stems from a disturbing incident that was captured on video and widely circulated on social media. The footage showed a heated confrontation at a service station in the Whithorn area shortly before a woman was doused with a flammable substance and set on fire.

According to reports from the Whithorn Police, about midday on Thursday, February 19, the injured woman went to the service station where Swaby works. An argument reportedly developed between the two, escalating into violence.

Investigators allege that during the dispute, Swaby threw a flammable substance on the woman and ignited it.

Bystanders rushed to help, extinguishing the flames before transporting the injured woman to hospital, where she remains undergoing treatment.

Swaby was later arrested and taken into custody. Following a question-and-answer session, she was formally charged. A court date is now being finalised.

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