Gateshead man jailed for corrosive substance attack which left a man blind in one eye
A Gateshead man's been jailed after spraying a corrosive substance in the face of a man who's son he had just robbed - causing him to go blind temporarily
A Gateshead man's been jailed after spraying a corrosive substance in the face of a man who's son he had just robbed - causing him to go blind temporarily.
Robbie Scott stole a gold chain from a man on February 5 last year. He was armed with a zombie knife when he forced the victim to hand over the piece of jewellery while on West Denton Way in Newcastle.
The victim contacted his father following the incident, and the man went to the scene to look for Scott.
On nearby Gofton Walk, also in West Denton, the victim found and challenged Scott about the robbery, asking for the chain which belonged to his son back.
At this point, Scott squirted the man in the face with a corrosive substance from a drinks bottle. The victim initially lost all vision in one of his eyes following the attack.
He has now since undergone two cornea transplants and is beginning to experience some improvement in his vision.
Following the attack, officers with Northumbria Police immediately launched an investigation.
CCTV footage recovered as part of enquiries showed Scott fleeing the scene after attacking his victim and he was tracked down and arrested.
In interview, he gave no account of what took place on February 5.
The 21-year-old, of Yetholm Road, Gateshead, was then charged with grievous bodily harm with intent, robbery, possession of a knife and possession of a corrosive substance.
Scott pleaded guilty to all offences in a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court in January and was remanded in custody.
On Monday, May 20, Scott was back before the same court where he was sentenced a total of 10 years in prison.
Following Scott’s sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Jason Henry, of Northumbria Police, said: “First and foremost, I would like to thank the victims in this case for their bravery, their trust and co-operation in bringing about this prosecution.
“Robbie Scott’s actions were intentional and senseless; he did not care about the seriousness of the injuries he inflicted.
“I sincerely hope that Scott’s sentencing at Crown Court helps to provide the victims with some closure and they continue to recover from their ordeals.”
Det Chief Insp Henry added: “Violence of any kind has absolutely no place within our communities, and we will always do our utmost to prosecute those responsible.”