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A 17-year-old boy has been jailed for 10 and a half years for attacking six moped riders with acid while trying to steal their bikes.

Derryck John, from Croydon, previously admitted carrying out the attacks in the north and east of London on 13 July last year.

He sprayed the riders in the face with a noxious liquid and stole two mopeds before trying to take another four.

One of the victims was left with "life-changing injuries", police said.

Judge Noel Lucas QC described John's "grave crimes" against members of the public as "despicable and cowardly".

John appeared via video-link at Wood Green Crown Court where he previously pleaded guilty to 12 offences.

These included six counts of throwing a corrosive liquid with intent to disable, burn, maim, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm, two counts of robbery and four counts of attempted robbery.

At the time Judge Lucas lifted restrictions identifying the teenager, saying there was an "overwhelming, huge public interest" in doing so.

The substance used in the attacks was thought to have had a pH of one or two, an acidity level similar to battery acid.

Jabed Hussain, who suffered facial burns and breathing problems after he was attacked by John, had called for the 17-year-old to be given a life sentence.

The judge said it was "the second major corrosive fluid case" he had dealt with "in the past three months".

He had previously overseen the Arthur Collins nightclub attack trial.

"It is clear to me that the carrying and use of corrosive liquids is rapidly becoming a serious and growing problem in London and in particular, in this part of London," he said.

Ramesh Patel, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "One of the victims has lost 30 per cent 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 their injuries could have been much more serious," he said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-43373719
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I think this type of attack deserves a life sentence too