A Shanghai court sentenced an ex-mistress to prison for setting a man on fire when she discovered he paid her less than his other mistresses to break up with her.

The woman, surnamed Wu, received seven years from the Songjiang District People's Court for arson charges, local media reported Sunday.

Wu was accused of dousing the married man, surnamed Gong, with gasoline and setting him ablaze.

Gong suffered severe burns on 50 percent of his body and is receiving treatment.

Wu had been in a relationship with Gong for four years, during which she received an allowance of 20,000 yuan ($3,220) a month.

When Gong's wife discovered their relationship, Gong called off the relationship and agreed to give Wu 400,000 yuan as a "break-up fee."

Wu became infuriated when she discovered Gong had given another mistress 1 million yuan for the same reason, causing her to poured gasoline on Gong and set him on fire.

Wu was also burnt by gasoline spattered on her body during the incident.

The court found Wu guilty of arson, but gave her a reduced sentence because she had turned herself in to police.

The Songjiang court held six trials for arson between January 2014 to July, three of which involved romantic disputes. 

Shanghai Morning Post