Crimson
28-02-2009, 09:06 AM
A man has been blinded after a stranger threw acid in his face following an argument in the street, police have said.
The 58-year-old hospital cleaner was walking to work when he got into a row with another man in Belgravia, central London, early on Wednesday.
The man then produced a container and threw a liquid into the victim's face, leaving him blinded and in pain, police said.
The attack happened at 3.45am at the junction of Cambridge Street and Clarendon Street in one of the ritziest parts of London.
Police were called by a resident who heard the victim shouting for help and saw him staggering along Cambridge Street, bumping into parked cars.
The victim was taken to a specialist hospital where he is receiving treatment for burns to his face, which doctors believe were caused by some form of acid. Early indications are that he will lose his sight.
Det Sgt Darren Nayler, from the Westminster Serious Violence Unit, said: "This was a vicious attack which has left the victim with serious injuries. The suspect used the acid to deliberately injure the victim, and the fact that he was carrying it around in his pocket in the first place, suggests that he intended all along to use it to cause harm.
"The area around Belgravia is one of the safest in the borough and it is the first time we have seen an attack of this nature anywhere in Westminster."
The attacker is described as a dark-skinned male, wearing a hooded top possibly with writing across the front. His face was partially covered by a scarf.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact the Westminster Serious Violence Team at Belgravia Police Station on 020... or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Ouch!
The 58-year-old hospital cleaner was walking to work when he got into a row with another man in Belgravia, central London, early on Wednesday.
The man then produced a container and threw a liquid into the victim's face, leaving him blinded and in pain, police said.
The attack happened at 3.45am at the junction of Cambridge Street and Clarendon Street in one of the ritziest parts of London.
Police were called by a resident who heard the victim shouting for help and saw him staggering along Cambridge Street, bumping into parked cars.
The victim was taken to a specialist hospital where he is receiving treatment for burns to his face, which doctors believe were caused by some form of acid. Early indications are that he will lose his sight.
Det Sgt Darren Nayler, from the Westminster Serious Violence Unit, said: "This was a vicious attack which has left the victim with serious injuries. The suspect used the acid to deliberately injure the victim, and the fact that he was carrying it around in his pocket in the first place, suggests that he intended all along to use it to cause harm.
"The area around Belgravia is one of the safest in the borough and it is the first time we have seen an attack of this nature anywhere in Westminster."
The attacker is described as a dark-skinned male, wearing a hooded top possibly with writing across the front. His face was partially covered by a scarf.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact the Westminster Serious Violence Team at Belgravia Police Station on 020... or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Ouch!