THE MAN WHO threw acid over two cousins sat in a car in Beckton has been sent to jail for 16 years for each offence – with a further four years extended licence. The jail terms are to be served concurrently.
John Tomlin, 26, of Colman Road, E16 pleaded guilty to two offences of Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) with intent when he appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court back on 27th November. He returned to the Court yesterday – Friday, 20th April – for sentencing. Handing down the jail terms, the Judge ordered that he serve a minimum of two thirds of the sentence before being eligible for release.
Attack The Court heard that on 21st June last year, Tomlin had got into an argument with Jameel Muhktar, 37, on the pavement of Tollgate Road, E16. Muhktar returned to his car – and Tomlin threw a corrosive substance in the open car window on the passenger side of the vehicle.
Muhktar’s cousin, 21 year old Resham Khan, was sat in the passenger seat, and most of the liquid hit her. Muhktar began to drive away, but he was slowed down by cars parked in front of and behind him. As he manoeuvred to get out onto the road, Tomlin ran round the car and threw acid over him too.
The car managed to get away from Tomlin, but Muhktar was blinded by the acid and the vehicle crashed a short distance away from the attack. The victims were helped by a passing member of the public, who took them to hospital in his own car.
Injuries The two victims suffered severe burns from acid which was so strong that it melted the victims’ skin and clothes – and the seats and dashboard, where the acid splashed onto them. Both victims had extensive plastic surgery and continue to undergo treatment.
Police managed to identify Tomlin as their suspect, and they appealed to the public to help find this dangerous man as a matter of urgency. Tomlin handed himself in to an East London police station on 9th July. He told police he had been living rough in Epping Forest to avoid arrest. He was arrested and the following day he was charged.
Victims
Cousins Muhktar and Khan had been out celebrating Ms Khan’s 21st birthday. The day which began with so much joy changed Ms Khan’s life forever. The Court heard that she will have permanent scars and has suffered depression and anxiety since the attack.
In a victim impact statement, Ms Khan, a student at Manchester Metropolitan University who had been hoping to break into modelling, said her birthday, “turned into a day where my face was taken away from me. I have been looking at myself in the mirror; it upsets me, it brings back the incident on the day, it doesn’t look like me.”
Mr Mukhtar had to be placed into an induced coma while he recovered from his injuries. He has been left with permanent scarring on his head, neck and body and he has lost the hearing in one ear. His victim statement detailed how he too suffered from depression and has tried to commit suicide. He continues to suffer flashbacks and finds it hard to leave his house, or to settle if he does so.
Police Detective Sergeant Dion Brown, from Newham CID, said, “This was a vicious attack, which has left two victims with substantial injuries that will stay with them for life. Both victims still require treatment for the burns they suffered that day and my thoughts are with them as they continue their recovery.
“Although the bottle Tomlin used to carry the substance was never found, testing on some of the liquid recovered from the crime scene showed it was a strong acid, equivalent to hydrochloric acid.
“I am glad Tomlin accepted his responsibility for the attack and spared his victims having to relive that terrible ordeal at court. Acid attacks can inflict terrible, disfiguring injuries and cause excruciating pain. Those who cause such injuries can expect severe consequences when they are brought to justice. That is why the sentence today reflects the extreme seriousness of this crime.”
Attack victim Mr Muhktar was disappointed by the sentence. Speaking after the sentencing hearing, he said that he would suffer from the consequences of the attack for the rest of his life – and Tomlin deserved the death penalty or at least life imprisonment. Ms Khan said that she was trying to be positive and build her life back up. She thanked police and medical staff for all their help.
The Court was told that police believed that the attack was not racially motivated, but that Tomlin had a history of mental instability and had been “sectioned” a number of times in the past.
•Read more about this story: Tomlin: guilty of acid attack
•Read more crime stories: Jail for scout leader who preyed on Newham youngsters Hackney man handed CBO after domestic violence
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