[bots]

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

[Niamh.]

Horrific attacks, those acid ones are. I think it's a pretty hefty sentence for a minor (deservedly so) BOTS, possibly would have been more if he was older

[Kazanne]

It's a terrible thing to do to anyone, a hefty sentence ? good,about time the justice system got tough on these cowards.

[smudgie]

Attacking 6 people, (that is known about).
Sentence is too short.

[Alf]

He'll be out by the age of 27, maybe even earlier.

There is no place in a civilised society for that behavior, he should have been made an example of, and give double that sentence.

[montblanc]

only truly vile sadistic horrible people would attack people with acid

[hijaxers]

IMO this sentence is way too short he'll only do half probably , people have been maimed for life , throw away the key for low life like this.

[arista]

Yes could be out in just 4 years
was reported.


Because he was 16 at the time.

[James]

Weak sentence.

If it is a lower sentence because he was 16 then that is not right.

[arista]

Also he refused to name
his criminal partner - who maybe older
he rode the moped

[GoldHeart]

If he thinks it's okay to randomly throw acid in these helpless victims faces then he should be locked up for life ,and it should mean LIFE .
Horrific & evil , this scumbag will be 27 when he gets out or even younger if he's let out earlier . He shouldn't be let out ever again . These acid attacks are far too frequent and the law should be a lot stricter .

[James]

Originally Posted by arista

Also he refused to name
his criminal partner - who maybe older
he rode the moped

Even worse.

The light sentence sends out the wrong message.

[Kazanne]

Originally Posted by James

Weak sentence.

If it is a lower sentence because he was 16 then that is not right.

It is weak when viewed like that but harsh when some just do 8 years for a horrific murder.

[James]

They need to be dealing with these attacks more harshly.

Here is another case where someone had their sentence cut to out-in-8-years after disfiguring and blinding a man - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-sentence.html

I read also that Katie Piper's attacker could be released soon, after serving 8 years.

[kirklancaster]

Originally Posted by Alf

He'll be out by the age of 27, maybe even earlier.

There is no place in a civilised society for that behavior, he should have been made an example of, and give double that sentence.

Just over 5 years Alf, so he'll be 22, and the sentence was far, far too lenient I agree.

It serves ZILCH as a realistic punishment for 6 known attacks and even less as a deterrent to other cowardly b's.