Reports in the media have stated that there is an ongoing investigation into an incident that occurred behind The Three Jays Public House, Clacton On Sea, Essex at approximately 7pm on 26th March 2018. The victim alleged that he suffered injuries to his leg and chest as a result of an unknown substance being sprayed at him from a passing vehicle with at least four occupants inside.
Across the country corrosive liquid crimes have been on the rise, especially in London where violent corrosive liquid crimes rose from 260 in 2016 to 465 in 2017. Dan Casey the Town's Chairman of the neighbourhood watch group stated "This sort of thing has been increasing across the country but we have not heard of it happening here very often". In the hope of deterring this type of violent crime the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd said last year that there was an intention to ban the sales of corrosive substances to under-18's following an increase in attacks and added that people caught twice carrying these substances in public should receive a mandatory six month prison sentence.
When the Courts are tasked with sentencing Defendants for incidents such as this they will first determine the offence category (between 1-3). Category 1 being most serious, indicating greater harm and higher culpability. Where the facts of the case suggest that the Defendant's actions had a significant degree of premeditation, or, if they have a leading role in a group or a gang then the incident becomes very serious indeed. These factors are aggravating and in the circumstances those factors would determine the category the Judge would refer to when sentencing the Defendant.
This is not legal advice; it is intended to provide information of general interest about current legal issues.
At Gepp & Sons Solicitors LLP every stage in the process from police investigation and interviews under caution through to the final resolution is managed carefully to obtain the best possible result in the circumstances, and to help each client in what can be a most traumatic experience.
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