Europe, UK (Commonwealth Union) – A brutal attacker who caused permanent blindness in one of his victim’s eyes by throwing a corrosive substance at his face has had his sentence extended.
Robbie Scott, 21, from Newcastle, has had his sentence raised following a referral to the Court of Appeal.
The court was informed that in February 2024, Scott stole a gold chain from a younger man after issuing threats. When the victim’s father confronted Scott, demanding the return of the chain, Scott responded by squirting a corrosive substance from a drinks bottle into the man’s face. Scott also threatened to stab the victim before escaping the scene.
Despite undergoing further surgeries to save his vision, the victim has completely lost sight in one eye.
Solicitor General Sarah Sackman MP indicated that the actions of Robbie Scott’s were cowardly and disgraceful. She further indicated that it did not just violently rob a younger individual with a zombie knife, but when confronted, he cruelly threw a corrosive substance into the face of another individual.
“His victim has suffered life-altering injuries and thankfully the courts recognised the severity of Robbie Scott’s crimes when they extended his sentence. Those who violently attack and intimidate others should be warned that you will be dealt with the full force of the law.”
On May 20, 2024, Scott was sentenced to eight years and six months in prison, with an additional licence period of one year and six months, at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Crown Court. The charges included robbery, possession of a bladed weapon and a corrosive substance in a public place, grievous bodily harm with intent, and resisting arrest.
On August 23, 2024, Robbie Scott’s sentence was raised to eleven years in prison with an extended licence period of three years following the review by the Court of Appeal, which came under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.
The use of acid and other corrosive substances as weapon has been a practice across the words often resulting in blindness and permanent disfiguration of victim’s facial features which may include multiple surgeries and at times with limited success. This has demonstrated the need for severe penalties for individuals that resort to such measures.
