Teenager jailed for acid attack on group of friends at rail station

A teenager who sprayed acid over a group of friends in an unprovoked attack, leaving some of them with permanent scarring, has been jailed for eight years.

Alexander Bassey, 17, attacked his five victims at Ockendon rail station in Essex, where they were waiting on the platform as a train pulled in during the early hours of May 22.

As the train was waiting, Bassey gestured towards the friends and encouraged them to join him on the train, which was heading to Barking.

When the group refused, Bassey left the train and approached the five while yelling abuse at them, British Transport Police said.

He then sprayed a highly corrosive substance over the group before running back on to the train.

Bassey, of Maplestead Road, Barking, admitted three charges of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) and two charges of attempted GBH at an earlier hearing.

He was jailed for eight years at Basildon Crown Court on Friday.

Three of the victims received permanent scarring, with one left with potentially life-changing eye injuries.

Senior investigating officer Detective Sergeant Gail McKemmie said: "This was a vicious and cowardly attack carried out without a single ounce of care.

"Bassey had no apparent motive for the attack and showed absolutely no remorse when questioned by police."

Jason Corden-Bowen, District Crown Prosecutor from West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service, said: "The teenage defendant in this case went out that evening with a bottle of highly corrosive industrial strength drain cleaner with the clear intention of harming someone.

"All five victims suffered facial burns and some have been left with permanent scarring as a result of this senseless attack."