Heavily pregnant woman has acid thrown over stomach

Police have arrested one suspect following the attack

(Ian Waldie/Getty Images)

A heavily pregnant woman has had acid thrown over her stomach in an attack in London in which her partner also suffered facial burns.

The attack on the couple took place when they were walking along Bow Road in Mile End on 4 July.

A man reportedly approached the pair in the early hours of the morning and sprayed the corrosive substance at them. They were both immediately rushed to hospital.

The police have arrested one suspect following the attack.

Prosecutor Kavitha Tharson said: “A substance was thrown in the complainant’s face that burned him instantly,” Thames Magistrates Court heard.

“The girlfriend also had liquid thrown over her that caused her harm. The acid has gone on her tummy, I have no information as to the impact on the pregnancy.

“I can only assume some impact has been made.”

Prior to the attack, the pair had been involved in an argument with a “group of Somali men”.

Mustafa Ahmed, 19, of Stepney, has been charged with wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and one count of attempted wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

He did not speak during his appearance at court, but confirmed his name, age and address.

Mr Ahmed’s legal representative, Larry Matthews said his client “emphatically denies” any part in the attack.

He said: “There’s no doubt that the attack was a horrible one and I am conscious of the fact that offences of this nature are a matter of public concern at the moment.

“It is an extremely serious allegation and if convicted there would be an extremely lengthy sentence.

“But he emphatically denies any involvement in this particular incident.

“He did so when interviewed by police yesterday.”

The acid attack follows a spate of similar crimes in London and a protest by delivery drivers on scooters outside parliament over safety concerns when working in the evenings.