Teenager jailed for acid attack spree

A TEENAGER who splashed acid through the visors of six moped drivers in one night in a bid to steal their rides has been jailed for more than 10 years.

Derryck John, 17, attacked six moped riders in just over two hours and managed to steal two mopeds, which he stashed before targeting others.

All six attacks took place in north and east London between 9.30pm and 11.41pm on July 13.

All victims needed hospital treatment, with two still requiring treatment eight months after the attack.

John was the pillion passenger in the attacks, Wood Green Crown Court was told, but the driver of the moped and his accomplice has still not been identified by police.

His first victim was a 69-yearold man in De Coubertin Street, Stratford, who saw a pillion passenger on a Yamaha bike raise his arm and then felt a splash on his face.

The man chased his attackers for several streets, but they managed to shake him before carrying out another attack almost an hour later.

A 32-year-old was attacked in Hackney Road with a corrosive substance and one of his attackers stole his moped.

A 44-year-old man had acid thrown on him in St Paul’s Road, Islington, just 24 minutes later but his attackers left the scene empty-handed.

Sixteen minutes later, a 52-year-old man was attacked similarly in Shoreditch High Street but the attackers got away empty-handed once more.

Another attempted robbery took place in Cazenove Road, 13 minutes later, when a 24-yearold man was attacked in a similar way, but nothing was stolen.

The attackers managed to steal another moped following an attack on a 33-year-old man in Chatsworth Road, less than 20 minutes after their last attack.

Metropolitan Police arrested John in the early hours of July 14 after he crashed into a lorry in Dalston while riding one of the mopeds reported stolen.

Using witness statements and CCTV footage from petrol stations, police were able to identify John, of Thornton Heath, as one of the moped attackers.

Ramesh Patel, of the CPS, said: “Derryck John claimed he was not involved in these attacks. CCTV from a petrol station was key to his identification and conviction. He was filmed stepping off a stolen Vespa scooter, lifting his motorcycle helmet and revealing his face.

“That evidence, alongside further material including CCTV of Derryck John wearing the same clothes and shoes during the other attacks, led to his guilty pleas on the first day of trial.

“One of the victims has lost 30% of his eyesight which he will never recover. Others described searing pain and burning at the time and have been forced to leave their jobs as a result of their injuries.

“Had they not been wearing helmets all of the victims’ injuries could have been much more serious. Our thoughts are with them as John now faces the consequences of his appalling actions.”

John pleaded guilty to six counts of “throwing a corrosive substance with intent to disable, maim, disfigure or do grievous bodily harm” on January 8, for which he was given a 10-and-ahalf year sentence on Monday March 12.

He also admitted four counts of attempted robbery of a moped and two counts of robbery of a moped, for which he was given a seven-year concurrent sentence.

Police are still appealing for information as to the identity of the second moped driver.

He was seen wearing dark clothing and a black helmet. If anyone has any information, please call police on 101 or anonymously on Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Derryck John has been jailed