Derryck John, of Croydon in south London, targeted six riders in less than 90 minutes on 13 July last year

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

A 17-year-old boy has admitted carrying out a spate of acid attacks against moped riders in an attempt to steal their vehicles.

Derryck John, of Croydon in south London, targeted six riders in the north and east of the capital in less than 90 minutes on 13 July 2017.

Previous reporting restrictions had banned identification of the defendant because of his age. But the judge, Noel Lucas QC, told Wood Green crown court there was an “overwhelming, huge public interest” in identifying the teenager after he pleaded guilty to 12 counts.

The court heard that Derryck sprayed his victims in the face with a noxious liquid, which police said left one with “life-changing injuries”. He stole two mopeds and tried to take another four from their owners, before being arrested at about 3am on 14 July.

On Monday, he pleaded guilty to six counts of throwing a corrosive liquid with intent to “disable, burn, maim, disfigure or cause grievous bodily harm”, two counts of robbery and four counts of attempted robbery.

Another, unidentified person is listed on the indictment as also having been involved in the attacks.

The teenager previously denied the charges and had been due to stand trial.