Man set To Spend 4 Decades Behind Bars For Scalding Sleeping Gay Couple With Hot Water

Martin Blackwell, 48, carried out the sickening attack on Marquez Tolbert and Anthony Gooden because he did not approve of their relationship. Yesterday, a jury in Atlanta, US, found him guilty on 10 counts.

Blackwell, who was Mr Gooden’s mum’s boyfriend, showed no emotion as he was jailed for 40 years. Tolbert and Gooden were at home together on February 12, 2016, when Blackwell broke in to their house and poured hot water all over their bodies.

Marquez, 21, suffered severe burns to his face, neck, arms and back that required skin graft surgery. His boyfriend’s burns were so extreme across his entire face and 60% of his body that he was put in an induced coma and has just been released from hospital.