Man who threw acid at teen when he wouldn’t hand over coat jailed

A drug dealer who threw acid into a teenager’s face in a premeditated street attack has been jailed.

Gilson Martins, 23, hurled the corrosive substance at his victim after the 16-year-old refused to hand over his jacket.

Police said the teenager was treated for chemical burns after the “insidious attack”, which happened in Stockport at about 22:00 GMT on 24 March.

Martins, from Rochdale, pleaded guilty to robbery and possessing a corrosive substance and, at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, was jailed for eight years and two months.

He was also sentenced for intimidation and drugs offences, including intent to supply cannabis and ketamine, and possession of ecstasy in relation to an unrelated case.

Laura Keegan from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said the sentence “reflects the severity of his crimes”.

She said: “We will never allow attacks using corrosive substances on our streets to go unpunished.”

The teenager was left with permanent scars after the attack.

Martins had travelled to the area using a car registered to Joanne Edwards, 45, from Stockport.

Ms Keegan said police used eyewitness evidence, CCTV footage and “cell site evidence, showing where Martins’ mobile phone was at key times” to build the case against him.

Detectives discovered a witness who had been present when Martins outlined his plans to throw acid on the teenager.

Martins demonstrated its effect to them by pouring it on a piece of paper, a Greater Manchester Police spokesman said.

In a separate incident on 4 April, Martins threatened a man who spoke to police about the attack, kicking his back door in before threatening to attack him with acid.

The man barricaded himself in his room as Martins stabbed his knife into the door frame before leaving.

Martins was later arrested.

Edwards pleaded guilty to encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence and was sentenced alongside Martins.

She was given an 18-month community order with a nine-month drug rehabilitation requirement.