A woman from China was sentenced to five weeks' jail on Monday for scalding a co-tenant after a dispute.

Qi Xinling, 61, admitted to causing grievous hurt to Ms Guan Qiuyue, 23, by doing an act so negligently as to endanger a life by splashing hot water onto her face, upper chest and limbs, and causing her to suffer permanent scars on her face. The offence occurred at Block 46 Jalan Bukit Ho Swee on Sept 15, 2011.

A district court heard that the victim, also a Chinese national, and Qi were at home when they got into a dispute over the tenancy agreement.

The victim splashed a cup of water at Qi. Qi then retaliated by splashing a flask of hot water at the victim who ran back to her room, screaming that she had been disfigured. The victim had first degree burns on the left side of her face, abdomen and limbs and second-degree burns on her neck and upper chest.

Qi, who is on a long-term social visit pass, said the victim had pushed her and splashed water on her face first.

She told District Judge Marvin Bay that she had been a law-abiding person since she arrived in Singapore 12 years ago. She claimed the victim brought home men and had violated the terms and conditions of the tenancy agreement.

Qi could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined up to $5,000.