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Liam Sibbons sentenced for Romford acid attack | Liam Sibbons sentenced for Romford acid attack |
(35 minutes later) | |
A 16-year-old boy has been sentenced to eight years and three months for an acid attack on a woman in east London. | A 16-year-old boy has been sentenced to eight years and three months for an acid attack on a woman in east London. |
Tara Quigley, 28, suffered injuries to her face and upper body when acid was thrown at her as she answered the door at her home in Romford on 30 April. | Tara Quigley, 28, suffered injuries to her face and upper body when acid was thrown at her as she answered the door at her home in Romford on 30 April. |
Liam Robert Sibbons pleaded guilty to a charge of throwing corrosive fluid on a person with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH). | Liam Robert Sibbons pleaded guilty to a charge of throwing corrosive fluid on a person with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH). |
Sibbons will serve six years and three months in custody. | Sibbons will serve six years and three months in custody. |
He will be released on licence for the remainder of his sentence. | He will be released on licence for the remainder of his sentence. |
'Horrific attack' | 'Horrific attack' |
The teenager can now be named after Judge David Radford lifted a reporting restriction. | The teenager can now be named after Judge David Radford lifted a reporting restriction. |
Prosecutor Martin Whitehouse told Snaresbrook Crown Court: "This was a horrific attack, involving a degree of brutality and callousness rarely encountered. | Prosecutor Martin Whitehouse told Snaresbrook Crown Court: "This was a horrific attack, involving a degree of brutality and callousness rarely encountered. |
"Almost, one might say, beyond comprehension." | "Almost, one might say, beyond comprehension." |
Miss Quigley, who did not know the teenager, has been left permanently scarred and will need regular treatment over the next four years. | Miss Quigley, who did not know the teenager, has been left permanently scarred and will need regular treatment over the next four years. |
She suffered burns to 7% of her body, including her right arm, forearm, shoulder, chest, neck and face. | She suffered burns to 7% of her body, including her right arm, forearm, shoulder, chest, neck and face. |
The court heard that most of the burns went almost all the way through her skin and Miss Quigley has had two skin grafts which have only been 85% successful. | The court heard that most of the burns went almost all the way through her skin and Miss Quigley has had two skin grafts which have only been 85% successful. |
In a victim impact statement, Miss Quigley, who was in court, said: "The attack has left me feeling as though my life has been blown apart." | In a victim impact statement, Miss Quigley, who was in court, said: "The attack has left me feeling as though my life has been blown apart." |
She added she was in constant pain and did not feel safe returning to her home. | She added she was in constant pain and did not feel safe returning to her home. |
"I will have to live with this attack and the scars it has left me with for the rest of my life and nothing I can say or do will change that," she said. | "I will have to live with this attack and the scars it has left me with for the rest of my life and nothing I can say or do will change that," she said. |
"I truly hope that the man responsible knows just what he has done and the grief and anguish he has caused to me and my entire family." | "I truly hope that the man responsible knows just what he has done and the grief and anguish he has caused to me and my entire family." |
Mr Whitehouse said Miss Quigley had been at home when she saw someone approaching the house. | Mr Whitehouse said Miss Quigley had been at home when she saw someone approaching the house. |
When she opened the door she was asked by the person if she was called Michelle. She replied no and the person walked off, however 10 minutes later there was a loud knock on the door. | When she opened the door she was asked by the person if she was called Michelle. She replied no and the person walked off, however 10 minutes later there was a loud knock on the door. |
'Burning sensation' | 'Burning sensation' |
The prosecutor said: "Miss Quigley opened the front door and saw the same man. He was holding onto a white bottle with both hands. | The prosecutor said: "Miss Quigley opened the front door and saw the same man. He was holding onto a white bottle with both hands. |
"He then pointed the bottle at Miss Quigley and squeezed." | "He then pointed the bottle at Miss Quigley and squeezed." |
Mr Whitehouse said Miss Quigley felt an almost immediate burning sensation when the liquid came into contact with her skin. | Mr Whitehouse said Miss Quigley felt an almost immediate burning sensation when the liquid came into contact with her skin. |
The court heard she shut the door and began to scream, and then ran into the kitchen and started splashing water on her face. | The court heard she shut the door and began to scream, and then ran into the kitchen and started splashing water on her face. |
An ambulance was called and Miss Quigley was taken to hospital for treatment. | An ambulance was called and Miss Quigley was taken to hospital for treatment. |
'Mistaken identity' | |
Sibbons received an acid burn to the left side of his chest during the attack. He had four previous convictions and was on bail at the time of the incident. | |
Judge Radford said Sibbons had refused to explain why he carried out the attack. | |
The judge said: "It was, in my judgment, a truly wicked offence, which clearly was premeditated." | |
He added that the attack could have been a case of mistaken identity and a large amount of money had been found after the teenager was arrested. | |
"Whether this was because you were being paid to commit this offence and there was some kind of mistake about the identity of the victim is a matter for speculation in the absence of candour and honesty on your part," the judge said. |