Beverley Hammett, 26, was 19 years old when she was the victim of a nitric acid attack at Susan Humphrey's house, where she was babysitting. The attack was actually meant for Susan, and had been planned by her ex-husband, Peter Humphrey. Beverley has had 15 operations and works in childcare in Devon.
One summer's night, I was coming to the end of an evening's babysitting for the children of a woman named Susan Humphrey. I heard the garden gate, but didn't hear anyone let themselves in at the front door. It struck me as strange, but I thought perhaps Susan had forgotten her keys and didn't want to risk waking the children by knocking on the door. I went to the door and opened it a crack to look out and see who it was. I felt slightly daft for being so cautious, but then the door flew open. There was the sound of breaking glass and then the acid hit me in the face. Apparently, I screamed, but I don't remember that. I fell to the floor and had no idea what was going on. I thought the intruder was a burglar, and he would just step over me to take the video, but he left...
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Peter Humphrey, Susan's ex-husband, was charged with ordering an acid attack against her. I just can't understand how someone could do something like that, but she must have somehow known what he was capable of. Humphrey was found guilty of aiding and abetting, counselling or procuring someone unknown to cause grievious bodily harm to me with intent to cause GBH to Mrs Humphrey. When he was sentenced to 12 years, I felt justice had been done, but the attacker has never been caught...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2003/aug/03/features.magazine97