Man's face is burnt in acid attack
POLICE are hunting for three youths who threw acid into the face of a man they had asked for a cigarette.
The victim, 45, felt one side of his face begin to sting and drove himself to hospital where he was treated for burns.
He was heading back to his car at 3.30pm on Monday in Plymouth when the youths asked him for a cigarette.
He told them he did not have any, and as the boys walked off he felt liquid hit his face.
Devon and Cornwall Police said they were treating the incident as a serious assault. Detective Inspector Mike Cooper said: “Thankfully this type of incident is extremely rare in Devon and Cornwall but we are appealing for information from members of the local community and the wider public.
“It is essential that we establish exactly what happened and deal with whoever is responsible as quickly as possible.
“This was a serious and very nasty assault which has left a man with potentially life-changing injuries.” Police have carried out door-to-door inquiries in the area.