MILFORD, Conn. (AP) A West Haven man who pleaded guilty to throwing boiling oil on his estranged wife has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Prosecutors say that as a result of the attack by Mohammad A. Chaudhry, the victim required four skin grafts and nearly a month in the hospital.

The New Haven Register reports Superior Court Judge Frank Iannotti told Chaudhry on Tuesday that ``short of murder, it's about as bad a domestic violence case as you can get.''

Milford State's Attorney Kevin D. Lawlor sought a ``severe sentence,'' but the victim, in a letter read in court by a daughter, said Chaudhry made a terrible mistake. The two women asked for the ``minimum sentence.''

Chaudhry's lawyer says his client ``regrets his actions.''

His sentence includes a permanent protective order for the woman.