A man has been jailed after being found guilty of throwing a corrosive substance at two people in Eastbourne.
Frank Graham, 39, unemployed, of Upperton Road, Eastbourne, was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment when he appeared at Lewes Crown Court on Friday (June 11).
He was found guilty on two counts - the first of throwing a corrosive fluid with intent to do harm and the second for possession of class A and B drugs.
Graham was arrested on the evening of August 29, 2020 following a collision on St Anne's Road earlier that day.
Police say witnesses saw Graham driving a Renault Megane into parked vehicles around 9am, before his car flipped onto its roof.
A member of the public approached the car to help, but Graham told him not to call police and he attempted to flea the scene.
A second passer-by also approached to help, at which point Graham was seen to unscrew the lid from a bottle of liquid and throw it over the two men.
Graham then left the scene.
An off-duty nurse at the scene of the incident, doused both men with water and provided them with a change of clothes.
Neither of the men had serious injuries.
Graham was arrested later that evening in possession of cannabis. A further search of his home uncovered a quantity of cocaine.
The cap from the bottle of liquid was forensically linked to Graham and he stood trial on May 6th of this year.
He was found not guilty of aggravated vehicle taking, but guilty of the other charges.
He was jailed for six years, with a further two years to be served on extended licence.
DC Fareed Camar, of Eastbourne CID, said:
“This was a horrendous crime in which two people who were simply trying to help, were attacked with a corrosive substance.
“Although it is lucky they didn’t suffer more serious physical injuries, there will be a lasting emotional impact as a result of what happened.
“Frank Graham didn’t care about how much harm he caused, and I am pleased to see the severity of the offence reflected in his sentence.”
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