Father convicted over acid attack on his own three-year-old son

Jury deliberations continuing in relation to one defendant

A father has been convicted of helping to launch an acid attack on his three-year-old son.

Jurors also convicted five men of involvement in the plot at Worcester Crown Court.

The 40-year-old father, of Wolverhampton but originally from Afghanistan, cannot be named for legal reasons.

A jury unanimously convicted him following nine hours of deliberation that capped a six-week trial.

The child suffered serious injuries to his face and arm during the attack in a Home Bargains shop in Worcester in July last year, which was carried out using sulphuric acid.

Jurors were told he cried, “I hurt, I hurt”, following the assault.

Prosecutors alleged the father had enlisted help to attack his son in an attempt to win a custody battle, by proving the boy’s mother was not fit to care for him.

The boy is said to have made a “good recovery” and is now living with his mother.

The jury also convicted co-conspirators Adam Cech, of Farnham Road, Birmingham; Jan Dudi, of Cranbrook Road, Birmingham; Norbert Pulko, of Sutherland Road, London; Saied Hussini, of Wrottesley Road, London; and Jabar Paktia, of Newhampton Road, Wolverhampton, of plotting to spray acid on the boy with intent to harm.

Martina Badiova, of Newcombe Road in Handsworth, Birmingham, who was on trial alongside the men and facing the same charge, was cleared by a majority verdict.

Additional reporting by PA