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Three charged over doorstep 'cleaning fluid' attack Three in court over doorstep 'cleaning fluid' attack
(about 2 hours later)
Police have charged three people after an investigation into a doorstep attack that left a 19-year-old woman with serious burns. A man has appeared in court charged in connection with a doorstep acid attack which left a 19-year-old woman critically ill.
West Midlands police said a man had been charged with wounding following the incident in Tividale, West Midlands, on Tuesday. Matthew Wood, who is alleged to have caused grievous bodily harm to Aleena Rafiq, was remanded in custody until July by Wolverhampton magistrates.
Matthew Wood, 27, of Smethwick, West Midlands, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm and is due to appear at Wolverhampton magistrates court on Saturday morning. Rafiq suffered "life-changing" internal injuries and burns to her face and chest after answering the door to a property in Tividale, near Oldbury, on Tuesday.
A police spokesman said Debbie Wood, 46, and Lisa Wood, 25, also of Alexander Road, had been charged with committing an act to pervert the course of public justice. Wood, 27, appeared in the dock alongside his partner, Lisa Wood, and his mother, Debbie Wood, who are both charged with perverting the course of justice by removing or disposing of items connected to a serious offence.
Both women will also appear at Wolverhampton magistrates court. Meanwhile, a 23-year-old man and a 19-year-old man who were arrested on suspicion of assault as part of the investigation have been released on bail pending further inquiries. The defendants, all of Smethwick, near Birmingham, were ordered to appear at Wolverhampton crown court on 11 July.
An 18-year-old man arrested on suspicion of wounding has also been bailed while the investigation continues. Lisa Wood, 25, and her mother-in-law, 46, were granted conditional bail.
The victim suffered serious burns to her face and neck, thought to have been caused by a caustic substance, at about 3pm on Tuesday after answering the door at a property in Tividale near Oldbury. Matthew Wood, who appeared in the dock in a white T-shirt and grey jogging bottoms, is further accused of wounding Mohammed Rafiq, who was also injured at the address.
Rafiq, formerly known as Vikki Horsman, remains in a critical condition at an unnamed hospital.
Meanwhile, a 23-year-old man and a 19-year-old man who were arrested on suspicion of assault as part of the investigation have been released on bail pending further inquiries. An 18-year-old man arrested on suspicion of wounding has also been bailed while the investigation continues.