18 July, 2017
London's Metropolitan police investigating a suspected acid attack on a man and a woman in east London have charged a 19-year-old man in connection with the incident. The boy, who can't be named because of his age, was arrested after five moped riders were sprayed with a corrosive substance during a 90-minute period last week.
"Both victims have suffered burn injuries; their conditions are non-life threatening." a police spokesman told Metro.
The teenager is charged with 15 offences including grievous bodily harm and possession of an item to discharge a noxious substance.
He is charged with GBH with intent, possession of a weapon created to discharge a noxious liquid, two counts of robbery, four counts of attempted robbery and five counts of attempted GBH with intent.
He will appear before Thames Magistrates' Court later.
Police say the number of reported attacks with corrosive liquids in London rose from 261 in 2015 to 454 in 2016.
Five separate attacks were carried out in the British capital.
The UK government seeks tougher punishments following a recent spate of acid attacks in London, announced home secretary Amber Rudd on Sunday 16 July.
