Man yelled ‘stay away from my girlfriend’ at victim, then blinded her in chemical attack: police

According to a press release from Dyfed Powys PoliceJeewan Dean, 24, was sentenced last Friday after pleading guilty to the charges against him. He was accused of throwing a “caustic substance” at another man, 21-year-old Raven Riley, and “potentially causing him to lose his vision” during a confrontation in August.

He is charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm and spreading a corrosive substance with intent to maim, burn or disfigure.

According to the publication, the incident occurred in an “off-line environmental community” where Riley was visiting a friend. On the day of the attack, Dean turned up at the same house with a bag, was acting “out of character” and was seen mixing water and a white powder in the kitchen, claiming it was ketamine.

He then approached Riley, shouting “stay away from my girlfriend” at him while pouring an “incredibly hot” liquid all over his face. The victim “immediately felt that he was on fire” and shouted that he could not see, and the skin on the chair on which he was sitting “melted and burst”, for The Times.

The substance was later identified as sodium hydroxide, a corrosive substance also known as caustic soda or lye.

Dean allegedly “fled the scene, leaving the victim in agony,” police said — adding that Riley was treated for multiple injuries to his head, face, eyes and shoulders. Authorities added that the victim “discovered that he suffered chemical burns and that the damage to his eyes may be permanent.”

“The victim has suffered chemical burns that hospital staff have never seen and his vision is likely to be affected for life,” added Police Senior Inspector Gary Williams.

Dean was arrested 48 hours after the victim identified him to police.

In court, prosecutor Karina Hughes said Dean suspected Riley and his girlfriend had “some sort of contact” – despite Riley claiming he only met her once while in Dean’s company.

The judge said Dean “felt humiliated that this man was paying attention to his girlfriend and he decided he would never look at her again” – before adding: “I got the impression you were pleased with yourself … that no partner would ever want to look at him again.”

“The criminality of this is beyond all reason,” said the judge, who also claimed Dean had “shown no remorse whatsoever for what you have done”.

In a victim impact statement, Riley said: “My independence was cruelly taken from me. I don’t feel safe anymore. I still have burn marks and scars. He (Dean) will never know how much pain he caused me and his family. He ruined my life.”

In addition to his prison sentence, he was placed under a lifetime restraining order barring him from ever having contact with Riley.