Acid attack thug gets locked up for 16 years
A THUG who thew acid at a Manchester student and her cousin has been jailed for 16 years.
John Tomlin, 25, threw acid at Resham Khan and Jameel Muhktar in June 2017.
They have both tried to take their own lives since, a court heard.
The pair were subjected to the horror attack as they were out celebrating Ms Khan’s 21st birthday. Tomlin, who has six teardrops tattooed on his face, attacked Ms Khan and Mr Muhktar while they waited in a car at traffic lights in Beckton, east London.
They were doused with acid through a car window.
The pair were left with ‘life-changing injuries.’
Ms Khan, an aspiring model and Manchester Metropolitan University student, suffered permanent scars, severe depression and anxiety after the attack. She told a court she has had suicidal thoughts since the attack and has taken eight overdoses, adding: “My face was taken away from me.”
Mr Muhktar, 37, told a court he tried to take his own life after the attack, which has left him too scared to leave the house and ‘constantly looking over his shoulder.’
Tomlin, dressed ‘top-to-toe’ in camouflage clothing, chased after their car before hurling liquid at the two victims. Ms Khan broke down in tears as she described the devastating impact the attack has had on her life.
She will carry lifelong scars to her face, particularly her eyes.
“My 21st birthday turned into a day where my face was taken away from me. I have been looking at myself in the mirror.
“It upsets me, it doesn’t look like me.”
Mr Muhktar was put into an induced coma after the attack and has permanent scarring to his head, neck and body and has lost hearing in one of his ears. He also suffers from depression and said he has tried to take his own life.
Tomlin admitted two offences of GBH with intent in November last year. He was arrested on July 9 when he handed himself in at a police station.
Judge Sheeagh Canavan previously said it was a ‘somewhat random targeting of these victims as they have no previous dealings with Tomlin.’