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An 80-year-old Smethwick pensioner has been found guilty of launching a ‘horrifying’ acid attack on his teenage girlfriend in a revenge attack after she jilted him.

Mohammed Rafiq, of Cheshire Road, masterminded the plan to harm ex-lover Vikki Horseman, who was left with serious burns to her face and neck after the caustic liquid was thrown at her when she answered her door on April 15.

Miss Horsman, who was aged 19 at the time of the attack, had dumped Rafiq because of his controlling behaviour.

A short time after their split Miss Horseman was attacked at her Tividale home and left with the horrific injuries, a jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

Rafiq enlisted the help of 25-year-old Steven Holmes, of Queens Avenue, Smethwick, and 23-year-old Shannon Heaps, of Allan Close, Smethwick, to carry out the attack. They denied causing grievous bodily harm but were found guilty by a jury.

Initially Rafiq was treated as a victim.

However his part in the plot later became clear to investigating officers and he was also charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and perverting the course of justice.

Investigating officer DC Jason Moseley, of West Midlands Police, said: “This was a horrifying and complex case which centred around a controlling relationship.

“Rafiq’s young ex-partner was seriously injured and left with devastating, lasting scars.

“She now has to rebuild her life and move on from what was ultimately a controlling, abusive relationship that she paid a high price to leave.”

Speaking following the trial, victim Miss Horseman revealed that she had needed surgery to help her recovery.

She said: “I have had to undergo lots of treatment for the burns and the damage those people caused.

“I suffered severe scarring to my neck and chest and have recently had to undergo further surgery to help my recovery.

“But, it is not just what everyone can see that causes me pain. The trauma and distress that Rafiq and his accomplices have put my under have left mental scars that I fear will never go away.

“I know I have to be strong and am pleased that justice has been done but no matter how satisfied I am to see Rafiq and the others go to jail, that won’t turn the clock back and take away the scars they have left me with.”

All three men will be sentenced next Friday.