News from around the county Teenager faces court on acid attack charges
Three people were left with horrific injuries after acid was squirted in their faces in Canterbury.
Their skin blistered and steamed after the corrosive liquid was fired at them in two attacks in St Peter’s Place on Friday afternoon, around 4pm.
Police have arrested and charged a 17-year-old from London, who appeared in court this week.
Homeless Emily Thompson, 36, was the worst affected and suffered agonising pain as the liquid was shot directly into her eyes. The acid is likely to leave the sight in one eye permanently damaged.
“The pain was worse than child labour,” she said. “The colour in one of my eyes has changed completely and the vision is very blurry.
“The attack was completely unexpected and the liquid, which we think is battery acid, was squirted out of something like a Lucozade bottle.”
Also hurt was homeless Justin Vincent, 39, and Janet Durrant, 69, who lives in a one-bedroom flat near the crime scene.
All three were taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.
Mr Vincent said: “There was just so much burning on my face. My eyesight went all blurry so I just shut my eyes. I thought for a while that I might not be able to see again.
“The liquid was so strong it literally melted out clothes.
It is understood all four involved are known to each other and tests are being carried out on the liquid used.
The arrested youth, from east London, made an appearance at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
He is charged with two counts of the wounding with intent of Mrs Durrant, Mr Vincent and Miss Thompson.
Prosecutor Adrian Crossley told the court if convicted the youth faces anywhere between two and 14 years in prison.
The prosecution alleges the victims were attacked twice in separate incidents 10 minutes apart.
Magistrates remanded the 17-year-old in custody overnight until Tuesday, when he appeared before the youth court at Folkestone.