'Utterly vile' acid attacker created corrosive chemical before throwing it in teenager's face

An “utterly vile” man who in the face who suffered serious injuries and has since undergone several procedures has been jailed.

Gilson Martins, 23, had planned out the attack and produced the acid substance himself before testing its effects by pouring it on paper. An accomplice rang his 16-year-old victim to arrange a meeting at an address in the Woodley area of Stockport on March 24 last year. At around 10pm Martins confronted his victim and, when a fight broke out, produced a bottle and threw the corrosive substance over the teenager, before fleeing the scene of the heinous crime.

READ MORE:

Emergency services were called to treat the injured youngster, with tests later confirming a corrosive substance had been used.

He was taken to hospital with serious injuries and was transferred to a specialist burns unit for intensive treatment.

After the attack, Martins attempted to silence a witness who had spoken to police, kicking in the man's back door and threatening to stab him, throw acid on him, and carve his name into him.

He was arrested by armed police days later and was in possession of acid kept in a bottle of hair dye.

Martins had pleaded guilty to robbery, possession of a corrosive substance and witness intimidation.

He was today sentenced to eight years and two months at Minshull Street Crown Court in .

The sentence also included unrelated drugs offences from 2022.

Detective Constable Heather Parke, from Greater Manchester Police, said: "The effects of attacks involving corrosive substances are well known and can result in severe, life-changing injuries or even death.

"Using them in attacks is utterly vile and I am glad Martins is now behind bars for his vicious assault.

“His victim received injuries from which he is still suffering, and has already received numerous treatments.

"We have zero tolerance for these sorts of crimes and we put considerable resources into ensuring that Martins was arrested, charged and sentenced.

"He now has a long time to think about his actions inside a prison cell."