Victim speaks of physical and mental scarring as three found guilty of Tividale acid attack
Three men were today found guilty of a doorstep acid attack on a young woman in the Black Country.
Nursing home carer Vikki Horsman, aged 20, was scarred for life after acid was thrown on her face and upper body on the doorstep of a house in MacDonald Close, Tividale.
Three men - including Ms Horsman's 80-year-old former lover Mohammed Rafiq - were this afternoon convicted by a jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Ms Horsman, who was aged 19 at the time of the attack , had informed her 80-year-old partner, Rafiq, that she was leaving him due to his controlling behaviour. A short time after their split Vikki was attacked and left with horrific injuries.
During a three-week trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, the prosecution detailed how Rafiq, of Cheshire Road, masterminded a plan to injure his ex-girlfriend in revenge for her decision to leave.
He enlisted the help of 25-year-old Steven Holmes and 23-year-old Shannon Heaps to carry out the attack, who were later arrested and charged with causing grievous bodily harm.
Initially Rafiq was treated as a victim, having also suffered minor burns when splashed with the liquid, however his part in the plot later became clear to investigating officers and he was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and perverting the course of justice.
DC Jason Moseley, investigating officer in the case, said: "This was a horrifying and complex case which 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 recruited two people to carry out the attack on his behalf and then tried to claim that he was also a victim.
"His victim now has to rebuild her life and move on from what was ultimately a controlling, abusive relationship that she paid a high price to leave."
Speaking following the trial, victim Vikki Horsman revealed the extent of her ordeal.
"What happened that day changed my life forever," she said. "I have had to undergo lots of treatment for the burns and the damage those people caused.
"I suffered severe scarring to my neck and chest and have recently had to undergo further surgery to help my recovery.
"But, it is not just what everyone can see that causes me pain. The trauma and distress that Rafiq and his accomplices have put my under have left mental scars that I fear will never go away.
"I still have sleepless nights and keep leaving my home to stay with friends and relatives as I can't bear to be on my own. This is what those people have done to me - all because I had the courage to be my own person and escape a controlling man.
"I know I have to be strong and am pleased that justice has been done but no matter how satisfied I am to see Rafiq and the others go to jail, that won't turn the clock back and take away the scars they have left me with."
Rafiq from Cheshire Road, Smethwick, Steven Holmes, aged 25, of Allan Close, Smethwick and Shannon Heaps, 22, of Queen Avenue, Tividale all denied inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent.
The three men will be sentenced next Friday.
The attack took place on April 15 this year.
