Tomlin: guilty of acid attack

JOHN TOMLIN returned to jail today – a guilty man, waiting to be sentenced for grievous bodily harm with intent as a result of an incident on 21st June, when he threw acid at two people sitting in a car in Beckton, E16.

Tomlin, 25, of Colman Road, E16, was arrested in July after a massive police search involving appeals to the public for help. He appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court on 11th July, where he was remanded in custody. He then appeared at Southwark Crown Court on 8th August and at Snaresbrook Crown Court in October, where he pleaded not guilty to two charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

At the full trial on 27th November, Tomlin finally pleaded not guilty and was formally convicted of the two charges. He will appear in Court again on 26th January 2018 for sentencing.

Further details of the attack emerged in Court. It seems that Colman had an argument with one of his victims on the pavement of Tollgate Road. The other man got back into his car, but Tomlin then went up to the car and threw a corrosive substance through the window. Most of it landed on the man’s female passenger.

The man tried to drive away, but parked cars blocked him in and Tomlin had time to go round the car and throw the acid at the driver too. The driver was temporarily blinded by the liquid but he kept on driving. He managed to get away from Tomlin but eventually crashed the vehicle.

Passers by took the two victims to hospital, where they were diagnosed with life-changing injuries. The Court heard that the acid was so strong that it had melted the victims’ skin and clothes where it hit them – as well as melting through parts of the car’s seats and dashboard that it splashed on to. The two victims have had extensive treatment and more is yet to come.

Detective Sergeant Dion Brown form Newham CID said, “This was a vicious attack, which has left two victims with substantial injuries that will stay with them for life. Both victims still require treatment for the burns they suffered that day and my thoughts are with them as they continue their recovery.

“Although the bottle Tomlin used to carry the substance was never found, testing on some of the liquid recovered from the crime scene showed it was a strong acid, equivalent to hydrochloric acid.

“I am glad Tomlin as accepted his responsibility for the attack and spared his victims having to relive that terrible ordeal at court. Acid attacks can inflict terrible, disfiguring injuries and cause excruciating pain. Those who cause such injuries can expect severe consequences when they are brought to justice.”

•Read more about it:
Acid attack in E16: where is John Tomlin?
Reward offered for help with Hackney shooting

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