Man left 'blistered from head to waist' in 'life-changing' suspected acid attack in east Belfast street

By Adam Kula
Published 7th Aug 2023, 15:10 BST
Updated 7th Aug 2023, 16:57 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now
A man in his 20s who was subject to a suspected acid attack has been left blistered over the top half of his body, a councillor has said.

She said the victim of the east Belfast assault is a foreign national, and that the attackers were too – although the police declined to say, telling the News Letter simply that “there are no further details at present”.

It happened after a carful of people began following him on Saturday night.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s obviously pre-thought-out, given that it was acid that was thrown – it wasn’t that they got out of the car and he got a beating,” DUP councillor Ruth Brooks told the News Letter.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 6th August 2023. General view of Sunwich Street in east Belfast where a serious assault took place on Saturday evening. A man was taken to hospital with serious burns to his face.Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 6th August 2023. General view of Sunwich Street in east Belfast where a serious assault took place on Saturday evening. A man was taken to hospital with serious burns to his face.
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 6th August 2023. General view of Sunwich Street in east Belfast where a serious assault took place on Saturday evening. A man was taken to hospital with serious burns to his face.

The substance was thrown in his face, the councillor said, adding the injuries are “life-changing” and that “I understand he’s blistered from his head to his waist”.

She also said “the victim may have known his attackers”.

It happened in the Sunwich Street area of east Belfast – a little terraced cul-de-sac off Ravenhill Avenue – at about 6.30pm.

The PSNI said: “It was reported the victim, a man aged in his 20s, was being followed by a car.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“When the victim stopped his car, a number of people got out of their vehicle and one of the suspects threw a suspected corrosive liquid over the man.

“Damage was also caused to the victim’s car when one of the suspects smashed the rear window with a blunt object. The suspects then fled the scene.

“Colleagues from other emergency services attended and provided medical treatment to the man.

“He was taken to hospital for treatment to burns sustained on his upper body and face and remains in a serious condition at this time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Our investigation is underway to determine who was involved and a motive behind this attack.

“I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything, or who may have dash-cam, CCTV or other video footage, to contact us on 101, quoting reference 1354 of 05/08/23.

"Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/

"You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Whilst the initial police press release alluded to “acid”, when pressed further on what the substance actually was, the PSNI said: “Police received a report of an ‘acid attack’ in east Belfast on Saturday 5th, August.

"However enquiries are ongoing to determine the exact nature of the corrosive substance used in the assault.”

More from this reporter:

• Backlash begins against BBC decision to ditch Irish League highlights show for 2023/24