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Man accused of attacking wife with burning soup

WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — A Westmoreland County man has been jailed on charges he burned his sleeping wife with a hot soup pot, then burned her some more by pouring the liquid on her face.

Authorities said 55-year-old Stuart Waterhouse, of Sewickley Township faces a preliminary hearing March 3 on charges of aggravated and simple assault, and harassment stemming from the incident at the couple's home on Friday night.

That's when state police said Waterhouse, who was drunk, got into an argument with his wife.

After she fell asleep, police said Waterhouse took the hot soup pot and placed it on the woman's face.

“She was then awoken by her husband placing a hot soup pot on the left side of her face yelling at her to wake up,” Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Eric Zona said.

After burning her that way, police said Waterhouse burned her again by pouring the hot tomato soup on her face.

“Before she could get up off the couch, he put a spoon in the pot and spooned out hot tomato soup and poured it on her face, causing a second burn,” Zona said.

According to police, Waterhouse then allegedly warned his wife to keep quiet about the incident.

“He told her, ‘I better not hear about this tomorrow,’” Zona said. “Then they both parted ways and slept for the night. She woke up the following morning, packed clothes and went to a women’s shelter.”

Waterhouse's wife told Channel 11's Joe Holden (@WPXIJoeHolden) on Tuesday that she's been involved in a long-term abusive relationship.

Although she didn’t wish to go on camera, she asked everyone to pray for her.

Every year in Pennsylvania, more than 1,300 people die from domestic violence.

If you have faced abuse or know someone who has, the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh has a 24-hour hotline. The number is 877-338-8255.

For more information on on the shelter, visit the website.