Attacker jailed for blinding man with caustic soda

A man who blinded another man by throwing hot corrosive liquid in his face in an attack "of unimaginable cruelty" has been jailed.

Jivan Dean, 24, of no fixed abode, threw a pan of sodium hydroxide at Raven Riley, 21, at Tipi Valley, an off-grid eco community near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire.

Mr Riley’s eyesight has not returned since the attack on 14 August, Swansea Crown Court heard, and he has scars on his head, face, neck and chest.

Dean previously pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and also to cause a dangerous or noxious thing to be received with intent to burn and was given a 15-year jail sentence, with another four years on licence.

Judge Geraint Walters said the attack was a "cold, calculated, deliberate act of unimaginable cruelty which was intended to maim your victim for life".

Prosecution barrister Carina Hughes told the court Mr Riley was visiting a friend in the area when the attack happened.

Ms Hughes said Dean had previously told people he suspected Mr Riley and his girlfriend had been having "some form of contact".

"It is clear from the evidence of Raven Riley that he had only met the defendant's girlfriend on one occasion while in the company of the defendant," she added.

Dean came to a house on the community on the day of the attack with a bag and was acting "out of character" before going into the kitchen to stir water "and a white powder" on the hob, which he claimed was ketamine.

Dean then walked into the room where Mr Riley was sitting and threw the hot liquid at him from about 5ft away while saying "stay away from my girlfriend".

Mr Riley "immediately felt he was burning", Ms Hughes added, and he went outside screaming: "Help, help, it burns. I cannot see."

The sodium hydroxide burned the chair and items around it were bubbling, the court heard.

Mr Riley was helped by others who took him to hospital where he was treated for serious chemical burns.

He can now see only blurred shapes and requires help with everyday tasks, the court heard, and doctors are unable to say when or if his eyesight will return.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Riley said his "life is in limbo" and he now has to use eye drops every three hours.

"I have nightmares most nights regarding the incident - they keep me awake.

"My independence has been cruelly taken away from me. I no longer feel safe. I still have burn marks and scars.

"He [Dean] will never know how much pain he has caused myself and my family. He has ruined my life."

Dean was arrested two days after the attack and tests carried out on his clothes showed traces of sodium hydroxide.

Richard Ace, defending, said Dean was "immature" and did not have any qualifications after being home schooled.

He added that Dean's "lack of criminal past" should be considered.

Judge Walters said the facts of the case were "truly disturbing".

"The impression I get is that you were pleased with yourself... that no partner would ever want to look at him again.

"The wickedness of this goes beyond most reasoning. You have not shown any remorse whatsoever about what you did."

Dean was also given a lifelong restraining order and is banned from making any contact with Mr Riley.