PETALING JAYA: A Malaysian has been sentenced to five years and seven months in jail in New Zealand for pouring boiling water over a co-worker’s head.

According to the New Zealand Herald, Kian-Wee Show, a Malaysian national on a work visa, pleaded guilty to a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The New Zealand national broadcaster TVNZ's One News said Show had attacked Chinese national Bin Wu because he was angry that Wu had taken a slice of his girlfriend's sausage the previous day.

It was reported that Wu had spent two weeks in hospital to treat his burns and may need two more years to fully recover.

The incident took place in the staff cafeteria of the Turners and Growers packhouse in the Whakatu suburbs of Hastings, New Zealand, in July last year.

Show filled a plastic bucket with boiling water and calmly poured it over the back of Wu’s head, neck and shoulders.

As the victim rushed off to the first aid room, a kitchen worker confronted Show and hit him in the head with the bucket, after which Show returned to his seat unperturbed and continued eating.

The victim suffered second-degree burns to about 15% of his body.