Thugs who throw acid can now be given a life sentence, even if they miss their victim - Crackdown by prosecutors to see thugs handed up to life in jail, and four years for carrying acid
Thugs who carry acid on the streets will face up to four years in prison under a new crackdown announced today by prosecutors.
The Crown Prosecution Service said it would in future seek to charge offenders caught with a corrosive substance with possession of an offensive weapon. The crime carries a potential four year jail term.
Prosecutors will be told to bring even tougher charges ? carrying a maximum life sentence ? against those who throw acid, even if no harm is caused to the intended victim.
It said the move was a response to public concern about a spate of horrific attacks and a recognition of the life-changing consequences that can be inflicted by acid and similar substances.
The announcement came as details were released of the most recent acid conviction in which a burglar admitted inflicting 24 per cent burns on a 69-year-old woman by spraying corrosive liquid on her after breaking into her home in Ilford.
The man also threatened a 90-year-old woman with acid during another break-in and used corrosive substances in other attacks. He will be sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court next month.
Unveiling the new crackdown today, Alison Saunders, the Director of Public Prosecutions, said she was updating her guidance to prosecutors to ensure that the courts had the ?widest possible sentencing power? to deal with acid offenders.
Continued Acid attack: Thugs can now be given life sentence | London Evening Standard
Thugs who carry acid on the streets will face up to four years in prison under a new crackdown announced today by prosecutors.
The Crown Prosecution Service said it would in future seek to charge offenders caught with a corrosive substance with possession of an offensive weapon. The crime carries a potential four year jail term.
Prosecutors will be told to bring even tougher charges ? carrying a maximum life sentence ? against those who throw acid, even if no harm is caused to the intended victim.
It said the move was a response to public concern about a spate of horrific attacks and a recognition of the life-changing consequences that can be inflicted by acid and similar substances.
The announcement came as details were released of the most recent acid conviction in which a burglar admitted inflicting 24 per cent burns on a 69-year-old woman by spraying corrosive liquid on her after breaking into her home in Ilford.
The man also threatened a 90-year-old woman with acid during another break-in and used corrosive substances in other attacks. He will be sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court next month.
Unveiling the new crackdown today, Alison Saunders, the Director of Public Prosecutions, said she was updating her guidance to prosecutors to ensure that the courts had the ?widest possible sentencing power? to deal with acid offenders.
Continued Acid attack: Thugs can now be given life sentence | London Evening Standard
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