Man Who Threw Boiling Oil in Police Officer’s Face Jailed for Nine Years

A taxi driver who hurled a pan of boiling oil at police officers — severely burning one in the face and chest — has been sentenced to nine years in prison.

Mohammed Sarfaraz, 45, from Newcastle, was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, attempted wounding, and affray after a violent confrontation at his parents’ home in Gosforth.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Sarfaraz had deliberately heated a pan of oil to create a “highly dangerous weapon” after learning police were heading to see him. When officers entered the property on 17 January this year, he swung the pan, dousing one officer with scalding oil.

The victim — struck in the face and chest — was rushed to hospital with serious burns. He has been left permanently scarred and told the court that his children were “shocked and upset” by his injuries.

“I was off work for a month and had to visit a burns unit every few days,” he said in a statement read to the court.

A second officer narrowly escaped being hit.

Sarfaraz then barricaded himself inside the garage, forcing officers to use a battering ram and Tasers before he was subdued and arrested.

During questioning, Sarfaraz claimed he had simply been heating oil to fry an egg — a story the judge dismissed as “clearly untrue.” Bodycam footage, the court heard, showed he was preparing to attack.

Judge Robert Adams said the assault was deliberate and premeditated, describing the weapon as “highly dangerous.” He noted that Sarfaraz’s family members initially lied to officers by insisting he was not home.

The court was told Sarfaraz had a long history of domestic abuse allegations, with 22 reports of violence and 44 child concern notifications recorded between 2013 and 2024.

Judge Adams said Sarfaraz continued to deny wrongdoing and had written a 30-page letter blaming the police and social workers for targeting him because of his religion — claims the court rejected.

“You tried to blackmail the court by threatening suicide if you were given a long sentence,” the judge told him. “I will not be pressured into acting contrary to my duties.”

The judge concluded that Sarfaraz posed a “high risk of serious harm” to the public and a “significant risk of spousal assault.”