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Monterey Man To Get 25 Years For Setting Fire To Ex-Girlfriend's Tent

SALINAS (CBS SF) -- A man who set his ex-girlfriend's tent on fire while she was inside with her new boyfriend pleaded guilty to mayhem and will be sentenced to 25 years in prison, prosecutors said Friday.

Steven Palmer, 54, of Monterey tracked down his ex-girlfriend at a homeless encampment in Laguna Grande Park in Seaside where she was staying in a tent with her new boyfriend on March 13, 2015, according to the Monterey County District Attorney's Office.

They got into an argument and after that, Palmer threw camping stove fuel on the tent and set it on fire.

His ex-girlfriend suffered second- and third-degree burns to her face, body arms and legs, leaving her with permanent injuries on her hands, prosecutors said. Her boyfriend suffered burn injuries and smoke inhalation.

In addition to the mayhem charge, Palmer pleaded guilty to assault and a previous domestic violence incident a month prior.

He is scheduled to be sentenced to 25 years in prison on May 26, prosecutors said.

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