Man arrested after acid attack outside school leaves 14-year-old girl with severe injuries
The incident outside Westminster Academy left a 14-year-old girl with 'potentially life-changing' injuries
by By Sam Hall, PA · ChronicleLiveA 35 year old has been taken into custody on charges of causing grievous bodily harm following a brutal acid attack near a school in west London this Monday.
The incident outside Westminster Academy left a 14-year-old girl with “potentially life-changing” injuries, as well as injuring a 16-year-old boy and a member of staff who rushed to help.
In a statement released, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that the male suspect was held early Thursday morning. After the distressing event which occurred in Alfred Road, Westbourne Park just past 4.40pm on Monday, police were swiftly alerted by school staff members.
The 14-year-old girl who sustained injuries which are “being treated as potentially life-changing” returned to hospital having been briefly discharged by doctors, police said. Meanwhile, the boy has been discharged with injuries deemed less critical than the girl.
Speaking about the intensive police efforts, Detective Superintendent Scott Ware commented: "The investigation team has been working tirelessly to piece together the events in which two young victims, aged 16 and 14, were approached outside the school by a lone man who threw a substance at them before fleeing.
"We launched an urgent manhunt to identify and arrest the man responsible for this horrific attack. I am pleased to confirm a man was arrested in the early hours of this morning in connection with the incident."
"The 14 year old lass sustained serious injuries and has returned to hospital having been briefly discharged by doctors. It may still be some time before we know the true extent of how serious her injuries are, but at this time they are being treated as potentially life-changing.
"The 16 year old lad has now been discharged by the hospital and fortunately his injuries are not as severe as the girl’s. A member of staff from the school also sustained injuries as she rushed to the youngsters to provide first aid to them. We will maintain a visible policing presence outside the school and will continue to work closely with the school and local authority."
Police urged anyone with information about the incident to ring the investigations team on 020 7175 4652 or by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quoting CAD 4987/30SEP.
Mr Ware added: "If you were in the vicinity of Alfred Road around the time of the attack and have dashcam footage that could prove key to our investigation, we ask that you urgently get in touch with us."
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