Acid attack: Tanya St-Arnauld's ex Nikolas Stefanatos pleads guilty

Nikolas Stefanatos, the Brossard man who sprayed acid on his ex-girlfriend, Tanya St-Arnauld, has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.

The plea at the Longueuil courthouse came today three weeks beforeStefanatos' trial was set to start.

The attack, which happened in August 2012, caused second and thirddegree burns to St-Arnauld'sface, back, neck and arms.

Stefanatossprayed St-Arnauld with a household cleaning product containing acid, apparently in a bout of jealous anger.

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Stefanatos addressed the court to say he was sorry for what he did. He apologized to St-Arnauld in front of the judge, adding that he would hug her if he were allowed to.

St-Arnauld reminded the judge of the devastating effect her ex-boyfriends actions have had on her life, including suffering from second and third degree burns, being in a medicallyinduced coma and undergoing skin grafts. She said that she now has the skin of a 70-year-old.

Stefanatos is due back in court on Dec. 3 for his sentencing hearing.

Crown prosecutor Erin Kavanagh told CBC that he has already reached an agreement with the defence on a suggested sentence, calling it significant.

Stefanatos has been held since the night of his arrest twoanda half years ago, and that time served prior to his conviction will count as time-and-a-half once he's sentenced.