TWO STRIKES LAW ON ACID
Yobs must be sent to prison
TOUGH new penalties on acid crimes will be unveiled today.
Thugs who are caught twice with corrosive substances will automatically face a prison sentence of at least six months under the plans.
And a new offence to stop the sale of acids to under-18s is also being weighed up.
It comes after victims such as celebrity Katie Piper described acid attacks as a “life sentence”.
The model, 34, who suffered horrific burns to her face in a 2008 attack, said “I will need operations and therapy for life”.
Andreas Christopheros, of Truro, Cornwall, suffered horrific injuries when acid was thrown in his face in a case of mistaken identity in 2014.
He has said: “The repercussions for an acid attack are lifelong.” A Home Office consultation document published today says the proposed crackdown will be modelled on a system rolled out in 2015 for offenders caught with knives more than once. The punishment is at least six months’ jail for adults, while young offenders face a minimum four-month detention and training order. Police figures show there were 408 attacks using corrosive substances between November 2016 and April this year. Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: “All forms of violent crime are totally unacceptable, which is why we are taking action to crack down on those who carry acids with the intent to do harm.”