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| Carrying acid in public could lead to six months in jail | Carrying acid in public could lead to six months in jail |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| People caught twice carrying acid in public should receive a mandatory six-month prison sentence, the Home Office has proposed. | People caught twice carrying acid in public should receive a mandatory six-month prison sentence, the Home Office has proposed. |
| It is aimed at curbing the number of acid attacks committed, which has more than doubled in five years. | It is aimed at curbing the number of acid attacks committed, which has more than doubled in five years. |
| Home Secretary Amber Rudd said she intended to ban the sales of corrosive substances to under-18s. | Home Secretary Amber Rudd said she intended to ban the sales of corrosive substances to under-18s. |
| Survivor Adele Bellis told BBC Radio 5 live that those who carry out acid attacks should face a life sentence. | |
| About 21% of such attacks were committed by under-18s between November 2016 and April 2017. | About 21% of such attacks were committed by under-18s between November 2016 and April 2017. |
| Ms Rudd said the government was sending a message that "the cowards who use these [acids] as weapons will not escape the full force of the law". | Ms Rudd said the government was sending a message that "the cowards who use these [acids] as weapons will not escape the full force of the law". |
| The new legislation would make it an offence to possess a corrosive substance in public. | The new legislation would make it an offence to possess a corrosive substance in public. |
| An individual caught with the substance would have to prove they had good reason for possessing it. | An individual caught with the substance would have to prove they had good reason for possessing it. |
| If a person is caught twice with acid, they would serve a minimum six-month sentence if over the age of 18. | If a person is caught twice with acid, they would serve a minimum six-month sentence if over the age of 18. |
| At this year's Conservative Party conference, the home secretary announced plans to ban sales of the substance to under-18s, saying that acid attacks were "absolutely revolting". | At this year's Conservative Party conference, the home secretary announced plans to ban sales of the substance to under-18s, saying that acid attacks were "absolutely revolting". |
| Recent years have seen a number of high-profile acid attacks across the UK. | Recent years have seen a number of high-profile acid attacks across the UK. |
| Scarred for life | |
| Adele Bellis was waiting for a bus to work on 14 August 2014 when her life was changed forever. | |
| A man paid £500 by the then 22-year-old beautician's abusive ex-boyfriend, Anthony Riley, hurled sulphuric acid at her from a sports drink bottle as she stood at the bus stop. | |
| The corrosive substance destroyed her right ear and scarred the right side of her head and neck, her arm and chest. | |
| The government's plan would see those caught simply carrying a corrosive substances face a mandatory six-month term for a second offence. | |
| But acid attacks are usually charged as grievous bodily harm (GBH), which can carry a life sentence. | |
| Riley was later jailed for life, with a minimum term of 13 years, after being convicted of conspiracy to commit GBH. | |
| Jason Harrison, then 28, who admitted carrying out the attack in Lowestoft, Suffolk, was sentenced to four years for the same crime. | |
| Ms Bellis told BBC Radio 5 live that the government's plan was "a start" but there was currently "no consistency" in sentences for those carrying out attacks. | |
| She said: "It's going to get worse if nothing gets done. How many acid attacks does it need for something to be done about it? | |
| "There is no consistency in the acid attack sentences. I think that acid attacks should have a separate law. At the minute you just get done for GBH. | |
| "There should be a separate acid attack charge and I believe there should be a life sentence in there, whether you chuck it or you conspired in it. | |
| "We are scarred for life." | |
| Home Office minister Sarah Newton told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We treat it as seriously as we treat knives. | Home Office minister Sarah Newton told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We treat it as seriously as we treat knives. |
| "So we are introducing this possession offence with a similar regime to that of knives so that if you are caught a second time in possession you have a mandatory sentence." | "So we are introducing this possession offence with a similar regime to that of knives so that if you are caught a second time in possession you have a mandatory sentence." |
| Detective Superintendent Matt West, the Metropolitan Police's lead on corrosive-based crime, told the programme that 20% of crimes involving acids were robberies. | Detective Superintendent Matt West, the Metropolitan Police's lead on corrosive-based crime, told the programme that 20% of crimes involving acids were robberies. |
| 'I've lost my eyelids three times' | 'I've lost my eyelids three times' |
| In 2014 Andreas Christopheros, from Truro in Cornwall, was attacked at his front door with sulphuric acid in a case of mistaken identity. | In 2014 Andreas Christopheros, from Truro in Cornwall, was attacked at his front door with sulphuric acid in a case of mistaken identity. |
| He was left with permanent facial scarring and he remains blind in one eye. | He was left with permanent facial scarring and he remains blind in one eye. |
| David Phillips, 49, from Hastings, Sussex, admitted assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent. | David Phillips, 49, from Hastings, Sussex, admitted assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent. |
| Mr Christopheros said: "[The acid attack] impacted every aspect of my life. | Mr Christopheros said: "[The acid attack] impacted every aspect of my life. |
| "From the moment I've woken up, every morning it takes me about half an hour to regain my sight. | "From the moment I've woken up, every morning it takes me about half an hour to regain my sight. |
| "I've lost my eyelids three times now from the contractions of the scars." | "I've lost my eyelids three times now from the contractions of the scars." |
| The proposed legislation on acid would mirror the 'two strikes' rule which makes knife possession an offence. | The proposed legislation on acid would mirror the 'two strikes' rule which makes knife possession an offence. |
| The Home Office is also considering criminal proceedings against online retailers who deliver knives to a buyer's home. | The Home Office is also considering criminal proceedings against online retailers who deliver knives to a buyer's home. |
| It is hoped the measure would curb the sale of blades to children or teenagers. | It is hoped the measure would curb the sale of blades to children or teenagers. |
| Have you or someone you know been affected by an acid attack. Have you witnessed one taking place? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Have you or someone you know been affected by an acid attack. Have you witnessed one taking place? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |