A man who had acid thrown in his face by robbers says he thought he would be be blinded by the attack.
The victim was attacked as he walked home alone after a night out in Nottingham at 1.30am on Saturday, February 6.
Police have appealed for witnesses after releasing CCTV images and now the man, a city student, has told how he was left fearing for his sight after the incident.
He said three young men asked him for a lighter as he left an alleyway near Clumber Street.
After he told them he didn’t have one, one of the group said instead demanded his phone and wallet.
The victim, who asked not to be named, said he ran only to be caught up by one of the group on Clumber Street, who then threw liquid in his face.
He added: “As it was a Friday night and busy there were lots of people around so the guys then said to me ‘you’re going to pretend you are our mate otherwise were going to hurt you’.”
The three men then ran away after seeing a police officer further up the street.
The student said: “The pain was just getting worse, I really thought I was blind I couldn’t see at all.”
The police put the victim into their van and rushed him to hospital where he was looked after and given pain relief until 6am. His vision later returned and he suffered minor injuries.
The victim said: “It was obviously some sort of acid to make me feel that dazed but I think I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Police have since released CCTV pictures of three people they want to trace in connection with the incident.
The student said: “My advice to anyone would be to just not walk home on your own at that time of night.”
Anyone who recognises the men in the images is asked to contact Notts police on 101.
Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
