Britain’s Telegraph is reporting that a 26-year-old Greek woman is being hailed as a national hero after lighting a British man’s genitals on fire as he sexually assaulted her in a bar on Crete. Her stature in the Greek public eye rose sharply today as she turned herself into authorities to answer charges for her act of ’self defense.’ She currently faces charges of causing bodily injury and endangering private property. No word on whether Greek authorities are pursuing charges against the assailant.

The incident occurred at a nightclub/bar in the resort city of Mallia, a favorite vacation spot for young, unruly British nationals looking to party all night long. A very drunk 23-year-old British man was making a spectacle of himself by aggressively propositioning the women in the bar for sex. The Greek woman allegedly declined his advances several times. Later, the Briton took down his pants and waved his genitals at many of the women and then tried forcibly to get them to fondle him. When the young man refused to stop assaulting her, the Greek woman poured her glass of Sambuca onto his penis. When he continued with his advances, she then used a cigarette lighter to set his alcohol-drenched privates ablaze. The man was taken to a private clinic in Heraklion, the capital city of Crete, for treatment of second-degree burns on his penis and testicles. Although there is considerable damage, the assailant is expected to be released from the clinic in the next day or two.

Charges were levelled at the woman following reports of the damage inflcted by the fire. However, in what appears to be acceptance of the woman’s argument that she acted in self-defense, she has been released without bail until trial. The woman’s lawyers have suggested that she may press charges against her assailant once he heals. It sounds like he’s already been through a trial by fire, one he’s not likely ever to forget. Some sober reflection on his part couldn’t hurt.