A 16-year-old boy has been remanded in custody this morning after being charged with throwing a bottle of home made acid into a man’s face.
The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before magistrates in Brighton today, charged with throwing a corrosive fluid into the face of a 22-year-old man at his home in Crestway, Hollingdean, Brighton yesterday morning.
The court heard that the acid was a concoction of vinegar, salt and battery acid, contained in a clear bottle.
Prosecuting, Mark Kateley said: “The attack happened in front of the victim’s mother. The victim is due to see a specialist today. The pictures shown to the court show burn marks on his face, and there seems to be some abrasion to the cornea of one of his eyes.
“The full extent is not known, but it is clear these are serious burns and a serious injury. The Crown says this was a calculated, targeted attack.”
The court heard the victim and the youth, who looked downcast as he stood in the dock wearing a plain grey sweatshirt, are known to each other.
The teenager, who mouthed words to his sister as she sat in the public gallery, is also charged with causing £500 criminal damage to a Ford Fiesta car belonging to another man.
The court remanded him to a secure youth detention facility until August 25, when he will appear before Brighton Youth Court.
The chairman of the bench told him: “We have heard from the prosecution that this is a violent offence which resulted in serious burns. We believe that the necessary conditions for secure youth detention are met, for reasons of public safety and prevention of further offences.”
