A teenager who threw a noxious substance in two men’s faces has been jailed.

The 16-year-old from Walthamstow was sentenced on Thursday, 14 March, having previously pleaded guilty to throwing a corrosive substance with intent at Highbury Corner Youth Court on Friday, 15 February.

He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

The court heard that at 13:33hrs on Tuesday, 12 February, there was an altercation between two groups of males on Argyle Square, Kings Cross.

Police were called but the fight had ceased on their arrival and no persons involved in the fight were present.

A further call was made to police by London Ambulance Service at 13:56hrs to nearby Cresfield Street where the males from the fight had been involved in a further altercation.

During this altercation, the suspect approached his victims – two men aged 19 and 20 – and squirted a liquid into their faces.

The victims were found nearby being treated for facial injuries by paramedics, after an ambulance was flagged down.

They were then taken to a central London hospital.

Forensic exmainations were conducted and the liquid was later found to be alkali of the highest Ph level outside of laboratory conditions.

Neither victim was seriously injured.

On Wednesday, 13 February, the suspect was arrested at his home address having been identified from CCTV.

DC Kelly Taylor, from the Central North Command Unit, led the investigation. She said:

“Before this attack, the suspect was not known to police. Now due to a few seconds of anger, he is facing three years detention in a youth offender’s institution.

“Hopefully he will use the time to contemplate his callous and violent actions.

“Alkali has the potential to cause a huge amount of damage when in contact with a person – it is only by sheer luck that no one was more seriously injured.

“This swift investigation and conviction was greatly assisted by witnesses and members of the local community who helped the team with this investigation and their co-operation is greatly appreciated.”