A college student sprayed a heavily pregnant woman and her partner with acid hours after they 'argued with a group of Somali men', a court has heard.

The woman was left with burns to her 'baby bump' while her partner was hit in the face by the corrosive spray.

Both were hospitalised after the assault with a corrosive substance in Mile End, east London, in the early hours of Tuesday, July 4.

Mustafa Ahmed, 19, of Stepney, east London, appeared at Thames Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with one count of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm and one count of attempted wounding with intent to do GBH.

The incident took place on Burdett Road (pictured) in Mile End, east London, on July 4

Before the attack the victims had been involved in an argument with a 'group of Somali men', Thames Magistrates Court heard.

Several hours after the row the couple were walking along Burdett Road near Mile End Road when they were approached by a man and sprayed with acid.

It is unknown whether her unborn child was affected by the substance but the court heard it was likely to have caused 'some impact'.

Prosecutor Kavitha Tharson said: 'A substance was thrown in the complainant's face that burned him instantly.

'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.'

Ahmed, who currently lives with his parents and is studying at college, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.

His defence counsel Larry Matthews told the court that his client 'emphatically denies' any involvement in the offences.

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.

'This is a question of reliability of identification.'

Ahmed was remanded in custody.