Falls Man Accused of Setting Woman on Fire Given Two Weeks to Accept Plea Deal

A Niagara Falls man accused of setting a woman on fire during a disturbing incident last summer has been given two weeks to decide whether he will accept a plea deal from prosecutors.

Barinder Singh, 38, appeared in Niagara County Court Thursday, April 10th, as his defense attorney requested additional time to review a proposed agreement. The plea offer involves Singh admitting guilt to a first-degree assault charge in exchange for a sentence that would fall below the statutory maximum.

First-degree assault in New York carries a sentence ranging from five to 25 years in state prison. Prosecutors are reportedly offering a lesser term if Singh accepts the deal before the deadline. Should he decline, the case will proceed to trial.

Singh has pleaded not guilty to the single count of first-degree assault stemming from a grand jury indictment. He was initially released on his own recognizance after his arrest but was later ordered held on bail set at $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond, or $1 million partially secured following his formal arraignment in county court. He secured his release by posting bail, reportedly funded through the sale of his food truck.

The assault occurred in the early morning hours of August 4th when Niagara Falls police responded to a report of a woman on fire outside a food truck parked at a gas station near Niagara and 7th Street. Emergency responders arrived to find a 48-year-old woman suffering from extensive burns to her head, arms, and upper body.

She was treated on scene and then transported to Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo with life-threatening injuries. Medical officials later confirmed that she had sustained third-degree burns across a significant portion of her body.

According to investigators, the incident allegedly began with a dispute between Singh and the woman whom he accused of stealing from his food truck. During the altercation, authorities say Singh poured a flammable liquid on the woman and set her on fire.

Falls Man Accused of Setting Woman on Fire Given Two Weeks to Accept Plea Deal