A RESTAURANT worker will carry her shame "to her grave" for setting fire to a music student dressed as a mummy.

Tracey Robinson was watching Nathan Hawken and his friends at a party at the Admiral Hardy pub in College Approach, Greenwich, on April 27.

Woolwich Crown Court heard how the she told a friend: "Wouldn't it be funny if he was alight?"

Tooting resident Robinson, aged 35, then attempted to set fire to the 20-year-old with her cigarette lighter as he made his way to the toilet.

When this failed, she followed him and managed to light the toilet paper wrapped around his leg.

Patrons watched in horror as he ran through the pub engulfed in flames.

Prosecutor Sean Clark said: "Those within the pub did their best to put out the flames and an ambulance soon arrived to treat his serious burns."

The Trinity College of Music student was taken to Chelsea and Westminister Hospital in central London, where he was treated for burns to his back, hands, arms and stomach.

Until last month, he wore a body suit 23 hours a day to reduce the scarring from the incident.

He has also had several skin grafts.

The saxophonist has now returned to study music at the college in King Charles' Court, Greenwich.

Robinson, who admitted setting fire to Mr Hawken when arrested soon after the incident, pleaded guilty to wounding causing grevious bodily harm.

Michael Kennedy, mitigating, said: "On behalf of Tracey, I formally apologise to the victim for the incident.

"The defendant has regrets which she will carry to her grave."

Sentencing her, Judge Paul Tain said: "It's a case where at first blush most people would expect a very significant sentence to be imposed.

"But it was wounding without any specific intent to cause this injury and was more a result of reckless behaviour and stupidity."

Robinson was given an 18-month community order.

She was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £300 costs.