Pensioner in acid attack case was 'normal self', court hears
A jealous pensioner accused of arranging to have sulphuric acid thrown in his ex-girlfriend's face was his 'normal self' just hours after the attack, a court heard.
Nursing home carer Vikki Horsman, aged 20, suffered horrendous burns leaving her scarred for life after she was doused in the black oily liquid after answering the door to a friend's house.
Her former lover Mohammed Rafiq, 80, is on trial accused of plotting the revenge attack after becoming jealous of her growing independence, a court has heard.
Yesterday, a friend of Rafiq told Wolverhampton Crown Court he spoke to him just hours after the vicious assault.
Retired James Gemmil said he used to work for Rafiq in the security industry and still did odd jobs for him - including walking a dog which belonged to Miss Horsman's friend.
He told the jury he went to Kerry Stevens' house in MacDonald Close, Tividale, on the morning of April 15 but left hours before the acid attack.
Mr Gemmil said: "Mr Rafiq was in the kitchen and Kerry Stevens was either in the kitchen or upstairs getting changed for work.
"I had a cup of coffee then took Spike (the dog) out and then I caught the bus back home. I normally take him out for about 45 minutes.
"I heard about it (the acid attack) on the news."
Asked by prosecutor Anthony Warner about a phone conversation he had with Mr Rafiq hours after the attack, Mr Gemmil added: "He seemed himself, he sounded as normal."
Mr Gemmil told the court neither himself nor Rafiq mentioned what had happened to Miss Horsman during the phone call.
Under cross-examination from Anthony Berry QC, representing Rafiq, Mr Gemmil told the court he was close friends with the pensioner and had known him for 15 or 16 years.
Rafiq, of Cheshire Road, Smethwick, is accused of conspiring with Steven Holmes, 25, of Allan Close, Smethwick, and Shannon Heaps, 22, of Queens Avenue, Tividale, to carry out the acid attack.
The trio all deny one count of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and Rafiq also denies a further charge of perverting the course of justice.
Miss Horsman suffered eight per cent burns to her body and told the jury she was still receiving treatment for her injuries.
The trial continues.
