Mon, 11 Mar 2019
James Doyle acted for Martina Badiova, 23, of Newcombe Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, who was found not guilty of plotting to spray sulphuric acid on a three-year-old boy with intent to harm.
Six men were found guilty and sentenced to a combined total of 78 years at Worcester Crown Court for their part in the plot, including the boy’s father, who cannot be named for legal reasons, who was given a 16-year jail term.
After the six-and-a-half-week trial, five other men were jailed, including Saied Hussini, 42, of Harlesden, London, who was sentenced to 14 years.
Jabar Paktia, 42, from Newhampton Road, Wolverhampton, Norbert Pulko, 22, of Sutherland Road, London, Jan Dudi, 25, of Cranbrook Road, Birmingham and Adam Cech, 27, of Farnham Road, Birmingham, each received a 12-year sentence.
The court heard that the youngster was looking at footballs with his brother in a Home Bargains store in Worcester last July. Cech approached the child and squirted acid at him, claiming in the trial he had been threatened with a gun to do it.
The boy was taken to hospital where he was treated for serious burns to his arm and face. He has made a good recovery but will be scarred for life.
Prosecutors said the father had enlisted others in a bid to provide evidence to discredit his estranged wife during a custody fight.
The attack followed what prosecutors claimed had been an ‘aborted attack’ at a school eight days before the store attack.
Ms Badiova told the court that she had taken part in the ‘aborted’ attack believing she was only there to make another man's girlfriend jealous.
For more information about this case, visit: https://worcesterobserver.co.uk/news/six-jailed-for-total-of-78-years-after-home-bargains-acid-attack/
James Doyle has acted exclusively for the defence in criminal cases throughout his career.
