Authorities have arrested a 79-year-old man in Taiwan after he sliced off his girlfriend's nose, ears and lips in a fit of jealousy and flushed them down the toilet.

According to the Central News Agency, the man, known only by his surname Huang, had suspicions that his 47-year-old companion, Zhu, was having an affair.

He allegedly bound the woman's hands and feet with rope while she was asleep on Wednesday, and cut off her nose, ears and lips with a fruit knife.

Local police said that when the victim screamed in pain, Huang stuffed her mouth with a towel and continued with his attack. He later flushed the body parts down the toilet before calling for an ambulance.

Zhu was taken to Changhua Christian Hospital and is now in a stable condition and under intensive care.

The police also told Central News Agency that the couple quarrelled often. They added that Huang seemed to be a possessive lover, and had previously threatened his girlfriend with a note, warning her that there would be bloodshed if he caught her dining with another man.

yeosamjo@sph.com.sg