TEENAGER WHO THREW BLEACH AT SCHOOLGIRL ESCAPES CUSTODY IN NOTTINGHAM
A teenager named Regan Smith, who could have blinded a 15-year-old schoolgirl by throwing bleach over her, has avoided immediate custody.Smith targeted the girl after she attempted to prevent him from harassing a friend he was attracted to.
Nottingham Crown Court heard that the liquid mostly spilled onto the girl’s T-shirt but also splashed her face, causing burning that lasted for hours.
Smith, who was 18 at the time, then threatened her, saying he would "smack" her if she didn’t move out of his way.
The judge, Michael Auty KC, handed Smith a 16-month sentence, suspended for two years, after he pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon.
The judge emphasized the obvious danger of his actions, stating, “The risk of blinding your victim ought to have been overwhelmingly obvious.” The prosecutor, Steve Taylor, revealed that Smith had sent threatening Snapchat messages before carrying out the attack, which took place on Westleigh Road, Bilborough, on April 15, 2022.
Smith had decanted diluted bleach into a small bottle and was seen following the victims into the street, where he threw the liquid at the 15-year-old girl, with most of it splashing her chest and face, narrowly missing her eye.
After the attack, the girl went to a relative’s house, and her mother called the police.
Smith was arrested that evening after police found him in a pub.
He admitted to the charges of assault and possession of an offensive weapon.
The court also ordered him to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and attend 10 rehabilitation sessions.
The investigation was overseen by Inspector David Platt, who stated that although the bleach caused pain and a burning sensation, Smith was fortunate not to have caused more serious injuries.
The incident left the victim with ongoing anxiety about going out alone, but the case underscored the danger and impact of such violent acts.
