Teen pleads guilty to acid attack spree

Guilty plea: Derryck John. Photograph: Met Police

A teenager yesterday admitted to a string of acid attacks carried out over two hours in East London last July.

Seventeen-year-old Derryck John, of Thornton Heath, pleaded guilty to 12 charges at Wood Green Crown Court.

They were six counts of throwing a corrosive substance with intent to disable, maim, disfigure or do grievous bodily harm, four counts of attempted robbery of a moped, and two counts of robbery of a moped.

Between 9.30pm and 11.40pm on 13 July, Johns attacked moped riders in six separate robbery attempts, spanning Hackney, Islington, Haringey and Newham.

All of the victims were taken to hospital, and two continue to receive treatment for their injuries.

John was arrested in the early hours of 14 July when a crash involving a suspected stolen moped linked him to the attacks.

He was further implicated by witnesses and CCTV.

Detective Sergeant James Leeks from Hackney police said: “Derryck John did not think twice about using a life changing and even potentially life-threatening substance against those who resisted his robbery attempts. Acid attacks ruin lives and have no place in our society.

“It beggars belief that anyone would be prepared to scar someone for life and leave them to live with life-changing injuries for the sake of a phone or a moped.

“We are working hard to keep the public safe and make the streets hostile territory for criminals who steal scooters and use them to snatch valuables from members of the public. We have a particular focus on the small number of criminals prepared to use corrosive substances to do so.

“If someone is in fear of being attacked with acid, or knows someone who is going to use it, they need to report it to police or confidentially through Crimestoppers. Your information will be actioned and you will be fully supported.”

No further action was taken against a 15-year-old male who was also arrested on 14 July.