Tougher jail sentences in battle to end acid attacks
THUGS who carry out acid attacks face longer jail sentences under emergency plans being drawn up by ministers.
The rise in the number of assaults has been blamed on gangs carrying out street robberies on mopeds and scooters. There are also fears of copycat crimes.
In London, acid attacks have rocketed from 261 in 2015 to 454 last year, – an increase of 73 per cent. There have been 282 so far this year.
There is no clear explanation for the increase but it coincides with a crackdown on weapons including the “two strikes” rule requiring a mandatory minimum sentence of six months for those convicted of carrying a knife for the second time.
The Home Office now plans to set out guidance for prosecutors on classifying corrosive substances as dangerous weapons and to review sentencing guidelines. Minister Sarah Newton said: “Other key actions will include a review of the Poisons Act to assess whether it should cover more acids and harmful substances and further work with retailers to agree measures to restrict the sales of acids and other corrosive substances.”
This week two moped robbers were pictured fleeing from a suspected acid attack on a pedestrian just yards from Harrods in Knightsbridge, London.
Dramatic footage captured by a cyclist showed the pair escaping by driving their scooter on the pavement and jumping a red light.
The 47-year-old victim was confronted by men who tried to rob him before spraying liquid into his face on Monday night. He was targeted for his phone and expensive watch but the suspects fled empty-handed.
On the same day a 21-year-old mother was left with facial burns after an acid attack in an alleyway by her home in Newton Aycliffe, Co Durham. Andreas Christopheros, 32, of Truro, Devon, answered a knock at the door and a man he had never seen before threw a beaker of sulphuric acid in his face, saying: “This is for you, mate.”
Doctors told his wife Pia he might not survive. Some 90 per cent of his face had to be reconstructed using skin from other parts of his body.
His attacker was jailed for 16 years. But Andreas said: “I believe anyone who carries out any form of acid attack should serve a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years.”