Acid attacker receives increased sentence after leaving victim partially blind

A teenager who squirted acid in the face and eyes of a boy he was trying to rob has received an increased sentence after the Solicitor General Alex Chalk QC MP referred his case to the Court of Appeal.

Linden Crick, 17, armed himself with a ‘Rambo’ knife and a bottle of sulphuric acid in February 2021 before threatening a group of young men in a park in Newham to hand over their phones. Crick then approached one of the young men separately and when he refused to hand over his phone, squirted acid in his face before escaping on an e-scooter.

The 17-year-old victim was left disfigured, with only 40 per cent vision in his right eye, and 10 percent vision in his left.

On 20 January 2022, Crick was found guilty after trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court of applying a corrosive fluid with intent, two offences of section 18 Grievous Bodily Harm with intent, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of a bladed article and six counts of attempted robbery. He was sentenced to 8 years’ detention.

The judge lifted reported restrictions preventing him being named because of his age.

The Solicitor General referred Crick’s case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient scheme.

On 8 April the Court found the sentence handed to Crick to be unduly lenient and increased it to a total extended sentence of 14 years, comprising a custodial term of 11 years’ detention and 3’ years extended licence.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General Alex Chalk QC MP said:

Linden Crick carried out a horrific and cowardly acid attack on a teenage boy knowing it was extremely likely to cause severe and permanent injury.

Although today’s decision cannot repair the life-changing injuries caused by these appalling actions, I welcome the additional punishment Linden Crick will now receive.