Express & Star

Three jailed for combined 44 years for Tividale acid attack

Three men behind a devastating acid attack on a young woman have been jailed for a combined total of 44 years.

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Mastermind Mohammed Rafiq was given 18 years in prison, Steven Holmes got 14 years and Shannon Heaps 12 years at Wolverhampton Crown Court this afternoon for the attack on Rafiq's ex-lover.

The doorstep attack on nursing home carer Vikki Horsman in Tividale earlier this year left her scarred for life.

Rafiq, who Judge Nicholas Webb said had a 'cruel personality', planned the attack in an act of jealous revenge because Ms Horsman had left the relationship.

Today it emerged that he paid £50 to Holmes and Heaps to carry out the attack.

Rafiq, aged 80, of Cheshire Road, Smethwick drove the pair to near the address before going inside the house and confirming that Ms Horsman was inside.

Heaps, 25, of Allan Close in Smethwick, led Holmes, 22, of Queen Avenue in Tividale, to the house in MacDonald Close, where Holmes then threw the acid over Ms Horsman as she answered the door.

Ms Horsman suffered eight per cent burns to her body and required extensive treatment.

Vikki Horsman

A victim impact statement read out in court told how she was physically and emotionally scarred from the attack.

Ceri Parkes, 26, of Westfield Road, Smethwick, was also jailed for 12 months at the hearing today. The court heard how a false statement provided by her to police following the attack led to the arrest of three innocent people.

Mr Andrew Baker, defending Rafiq, said: "What possessed him apart from blind jealousy for this act of madness, no-one can begin to imagine."

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."

For full coverage of the sentencing, see tomorrow's Express & Star.

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