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| Mohammed Rafiq, 80, jailed for acid revenge attack on teen ex | Mohammed Rafiq, 80, jailed for acid revenge attack on teen ex |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| An 80-year-old man has been jailed for 18 years for masterminding an acid revenge attack on his teenage ex-girlfriend. | An 80-year-old man has been jailed for 18 years for masterminding an acid revenge attack on his teenage ex-girlfriend. |
| Mohammed Rafiq was convicted on 12 December of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Vikki Horsman, 20. | Mohammed Rafiq was convicted on 12 December of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Vikki Horsman, 20. |
| Ms Horsman was left scarred by the attack in April, when she was 19. | Ms Horsman was left scarred by the attack in April, when she was 19. |
| Rafiq, of Cheshire Road, Smethwick, paid two men £50 to attack her after she ended their relationship, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard. | Rafiq, of Cheshire Road, Smethwick, paid two men £50 to attack her after she ended their relationship, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard. |
| Shannon Heaps, 23, and Steven Holmes, 25, were found guilty of plotting to attack Ms Horsman at her friend's house in Tividale, West Midlands. | Shannon Heaps, 23, and Steven Holmes, 25, were found guilty of plotting to attack Ms Horsman at her friend's house in Tividale, West Midlands. |
| They were jailed for 12 years and 14 years respectively - both laughed when they heard the sentence and Heaps punched the air. | |
| Holmes threw the acid and Heaps, who was at the door, was the one who put Rafiq and Holmes in touch with each other, the court heard. | Holmes threw the acid and Heaps, who was at the door, was the one who put Rafiq and Holmes in touch with each other, the court heard. |
| During the trial, the court heard Ms Horsman had entered into a relationship with "controlling" Rafiq when she was 18. | During the trial, the court heard Ms Horsman had entered into a relationship with "controlling" Rafiq when she was 18. |
| He became angered when the care worker broke up with him, and arranged for Heaps and Holmes to attack her with the corrosive liquid. | He became angered when the care worker broke up with him, and arranged for Heaps and Holmes to attack her with the corrosive liquid. |
| On 15 April, she opened the door of the house and was met by a hooded figure who threw acid in her face. | On 15 April, she opened the door of the house and was met by a hooded figure who threw acid in her face. |
| She suffered "horrific" burns as a result, requiring specialist surgery to her face, neck, shoulders, and upper leg, police said. | She suffered "horrific" burns as a result, requiring specialist surgery to her face, neck, shoulders, and upper leg, police said. |
| They said Rafiq, who himself suffered minor burns when he was splashed with liquid, was initially treated as a victim but later charged. | They said Rafiq, who himself suffered minor burns when he was splashed with liquid, was initially treated as a victim but later charged. |
| Rafiq and Heaps, of Queens Avenue, Tividale, and Holmes, of Allan Close, Smethwick, were found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. | Rafiq and Heaps, of Queens Avenue, Tividale, and Holmes, of Allan Close, Smethwick, were found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. |
| Heaps was given his sentence for his role in pointing out the property where the doorstep attack took place. | Heaps was given his sentence for his role in pointing out the property where the doorstep attack took place. |
| He punched the air when he was sentenced while another defendant imitated throwing acid. | |
| Holmes was given an 18-year sentence, comprising 14 years in jail and four years on extended license. | |
| A fourth defendant, Ceri Parkes, 26, of Smethwick, was given 12 months on Friday after she admitted in July perverting the course of justice. | A fourth defendant, Ceri Parkes, 26, of Smethwick, was given 12 months on Friday after she admitted in July perverting the course of justice. |
| 'Cold and callous' | |
| The elderly man was also convicted of a further charge of perverting the course of justice. | The elderly man was also convicted of a further charge of perverting the course of justice. |
| In an interview with the BBC, Ms Horsman told how she had been left with "life-changing" injuries. | In an interview with the BBC, Ms Horsman told how she had been left with "life-changing" injuries. |
| Investigating officer Det Con Jason Moseley said the case had been "horrifying and complex" and "centred around a controlling relationship". | Investigating officer Det Con Jason Moseley said the case had been "horrifying and complex" and "centred around a controlling relationship". |
| "Rafiq's young ex-partner was seriously injured and left with devastating, lasting scars, which one can only presume was his intent given the nature of the planned attack," he said. | "Rafiq's young ex-partner was seriously injured and left with devastating, lasting scars, which one can only presume was his intent given the nature of the planned attack," he said. |
| He said Ms Horsman was pleased with the sentences which reflected the "cold and callous" way the attack was planned by Rafiq and "his cronies" | |
| Judge Nicholas Webb described the premeditated attack as "wicked" and Rafiq as "cruel as vengeful". He said the nature of attack was designed to degrade Ms Horsman. | Judge Nicholas Webb described the premeditated attack as "wicked" and Rafiq as "cruel as vengeful". He said the nature of attack was designed to degrade Ms Horsman. |
| Passing sentence, the judge told Rafiq, Heaps and Holmes: "Acid attacks are not uncommon in certain parts of the world. | Passing sentence, the judge told Rafiq, Heaps and Holmes: "Acid attacks are not uncommon in certain parts of the world. |
| "Thankfully, they are rare in England. Quite often they are to punish a woman who has refused to bow to the demands of a spouse. | "Thankfully, they are rare in England. Quite often they are to punish a woman who has refused to bow to the demands of a spouse. |
| "In such cases it is done to leave a permanent reminder of what happens when a woman rejects attempts to control her." | "In such cases it is done to leave a permanent reminder of what happens when a woman rejects attempts to control her." |