Man who left a father blind after acid attack in Newcastle has jail sentence increased
A thief who blinded a father after throwing acid into his face has had his sentence increased by the Court of Appeal.
A thief who blinded a father after throwing acid into his face has had his sentence increased by the Court of Appeal.
Robbie Scott was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court in May to 10 years' imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to using a corrosive substance during an attack in February 2023.
As a result, the victim - who had been attempting to locate Scott after the attacker stole his son's gold chain - was left with life-changing injuries and was fearful he would never work again.
The Solicitor General referred Scott's sentence to the Court of Appeal, arguing it was "unduly lenient".
On Wednesday, three judges in London increased the 21-year-old's jail term to 14 years.
Lord Justice Bean, sitting alongside Mrs Justice Cutts and Mr Justice Murray, said: "Ultimately, the victim totally lost sight in his left eye as a result of a severe chemical burn.
"There is a possibility, no more than that, that he may regain a small degree of vision but even that is far from certain."
Will Martin, representing the Solicitor General, said in written submissions that Scott "used a highly dangerous weapon to cause permanent, irreversible injury that will have a substantial and long-term effect" on the victim.
The court heard Scott had stolen a teenager's chain after showing him a 15 to 20-inch zombie knife down an underpass in Westerhope, Newcastle.
Mr Martin said the teenager contacted his father, who found Scott but was then doused in the corrosive substance, which went into his left eye, nose and mouth.
Mr Martin continued: "The man immediately felt a burning sensation which made it hard for him to breathe.
"He said he felt like he was fighting for his life."
The court was told that the victim had hospital treatment for a grade 4 severe chemical burn to his eye.
Mr Martin said Scott handed himself in to police after being identified in relation to the attack and was interviewed under caution.
Scott pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, robbery, possession of a bladed article and having a corrosive substance in a public place in January 2024.
Anthony Davis, representing Scott, said that the injuries sustained by the victim were "grave and irreversible" but that while the sentence "may be deemed lenient", it "was not unduly lenient".
Mr Davis added Scott had shown a "significant lack of maturity" and that the offender's "personal circumstances were difficult", including associated problems around ADHD.
In a statement read out by Lord Justice Bean, the victim said he had "now totally lost sight in his eye, which has caused balance and depth perception issues, anxiety, depression and insomnia".
The victim's son said in his statement that he was "overwhelmed with guilt about what happened because his father's life has been changed forever".
Increasing Scott's sentence, Lord Justice Bean said: "On doctor's advice, he took six months off work. This has had a huge negative impact on his relationship of 23 years.
"The incident has turned his life upside down and had a detrimental effect on how he went about his daily life."
Solicitor General Sarah Sackman said Scott's "actions were cowardly and shameful", adding: "Not only did he violently rob someone younger than him with a zombie knife but when challenged he callously threw a corrosive substance in another person's face.
"His victim has suffered life-altering injuries and thankfully the courts recognised the severity of Robbie Scott's crimes when they extended his sentence.
"Those who violently attack and intimidate others should be warned that you will be dealt with the full force of the law."