Ambulance staff tell acid attack trial how victim wept tears of pain as they treated her

Vikki Horsman, who was doused with sulphuric acid in the doorstep attack in Tividale, had to be given the maximum amount of morphine, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

The 20-year-old was scarred for life after suffering severe burns.

Her former lover Mohammed Rafiq, 80, is on trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court accused of plotting the attack in MacDonald Close on April 15 this year.

A jury has been told Rafiq conspired with Steven Holmes, 25, and Shannon Heap, 22, after becoming jealous of her growing independence.

Rafiq denies inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent on Miss Horsman, alongside co-accused Shannon Heaps, 23, and 25-year-old Steven Holmes, who is said to have carried out the attack in the porch of a house.

At court yesterday, the jury heard from West Midlands Ambulance Service technician Susan Appleby and Hazard Area Response Team paramedic Paul MacDonald.

Mr MacDonald was among the first people to arrive at the incident, appearing soon after 3pm.

He told the jury he saw Miss Horsman at the front to the house, before leading her into the kitchen.

He said he saw the 'black' acid on the ceiling, walls and floors of the front room.

He said: "I asked her what happened. She said she had acid thrown at her."

He asked Miss Horsman to remove her clothing before cleaning her face and neck of the acid in the kitchen sink.

He said: "She was quite upset. She was crying. She was trying to get substance off her. She wanted to leave the property and get some help."

He added: "There was a large clump of it in her ear and I was trying to wash it out.

"As I was washing it, it was dropping down to her face, which was causing her pain.

"At one point she was telling me to stop washing off the acid. She was crying and very distressed."

He said he had given Miss Horsman the maximum amount of morphine, about 25mg.

Ms Appleby arrived at the address soon after Mr MacDonald.

She said: "I went through the front door to the lounge, there was a black substance on the door frame, on the wall and floor.

"It has a potent smell, it smelt of diesel. I had a sore throat for two to three days after."

Ms Appleby said she treated Rafiq for 'minor' burns to his back and on his heard. He was then taken to Sandwell General Hospital.

Rafiq, of Cheshire Road, Smethwick, Holmes, of Allan Close, Smethwick, and Heaps, of Queens Avenue, Tividale, all deny one count of inflicting GBH with intent. Rafiq denies a further charge of perverting the course of justice. The trial continues.