This was the terrifying moment a thug squirted acid over an aspiring model and her cousin through the window of their car, causing appalling injuries.

University student Resham Khan, 21, and Jameel Muhktar, 37, were left with severe burns after the vicious attack in east London last June. Both needed skin grafts and Mr Muhktar’s injuries were so severe doctors put him in an induced coma.

Today at Southwark crown court John Tomlin was sentenced to 16 years in jail for the assault today.

The 25-year-old — who has two tear stains tattooed on his cheeks — had admitted two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

As he was being sentenced, Scotland Yard released dramatic CCTV images of the attack in Beckton, revealing the desperate attempts by Mr Muhktar to get away from his assailant.

The cousins had been celebrating Ms Khan’s 21st birthday and had been sitting in their parked car in Tollgate Road at 9.13am on June 21.

There was an argument on the pavement between Mr Muhktar and Tomlin, and when the driver returned to his car, Tomlin approached and squirted acid through the open window, most of it hitting Ms Khan in the passenger seat.

She began screaming in pain and her cousin tried to drive away, hitting the car parked in front in his haste.

As he pulled onto the road Tomlin ran around the vehicle and sprayed more through the driver’s window, hitting Mr Muhktar. Police say Tomlin, of Canning Town, continued running alongside the car in a bid to continue to attack and only stopped when it outpaced him.

Mr Muhktar was temporarily blinded and the car mounted a pavement, crashing. A passer-by took both victims to an east London hospital. When police examined the vehicle they found the acid was so strong it had melted the seats and dashboard. It corroded the victims’ skin and clothes.

Ms Khan, who studies at Manchester Metropolitan University, was scarred for life. She underwent three skin grafts and can no longer close her right eye.

In an interview last year she recalled the pain as she was put under a cold shower in hospital: “I was completely praying to die. The pain was unbearable to the point where I wouldn’t get out of the shower.” She has described suffering from breakdowns during her recovery, and campaigns to strengthen sentences for acid attackers.

Detective Sergeant Dion Brown of Newham CID said: “This was a vicious attack which left two victims with injuries that will stay with them for life. Both still require treatment and my thoughts are with them. Although the bottle Tomlin used was never found, testing on liquid recovered from the crime scene showed it was a strong acid, equivalent to hydrochloric acid.

"I am glad Tomlin accepted his responsibility and spared his victims having to relive that terrible ordeal at court. Acid attacks can inflict disfiguring injuries and cause excruciating pain. Those who cause such injuries can expect severe consequences.”

Met figures show the number of violent “corrosive liquid” offences in London soared by 79 per cent over two years, from 260 in 2015 to 465 in 2017.