Homeless man jailed for carrying bleach as 'offensive weapon' in London

A homeless man found carrying bleach concealed in a Lucozade bottle after a robbery has been jailed for a year in one of the first cases of its kind.

Bradley Kerr, 21, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon at Snaresbrook Crown Court almost exactly a month after being stopped by police.

He was searched in the early hours of 18 July after a man told police he had been robbed by a group of men who were still on the scene in Bow, east London.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said officers discovered a squeezy drinks bottle that they “suspected contained a noxious substance” in Kerr’s bag and arrested him.

“Tests later revealed that the substance had a high ph level and it was confirmed as a bleach-type substance that would cause injury if thrown at somebody,” he added.

Kerr is one of the first people to be convicted since the Crown Prosecution Service issued guidelines making it clear that a noxious substance could be considered an offensive weapon last month.

The judge, Recorder Sally-Ann Hales QC, said: “The obvious inference is that it was a bottle, originally used for some innocent purpose, which had been refilled with a noxious substance, turning it into an offensive weapon.”

It is not known how strong the bleach-like substance was but the court heard it could potentially cause skin irritation or burns, and could be very dangerous if inhaled or ingested.

"So whilst it is a commonly available household product, it is a liquid which has the capacity to do a great deal of harm, particularly in the wrong hands such as yours - which is no doubt why you were carrying it,” Ms Hales told Kerr.

"A liquid of this nature in a portable squeezy bottle can have no possible purpose other than for use as a highly dangerous weapon.”

The judge noted that a spike in the number of attacks using corrosive substances had “caused widespread concern”, adding: “Carrying commonly available cleaning products for use as weapons of offence or for the purposes of committing other crimes is, as I am sure you are aware, increasingly prevalent.”

Ms Hales urged courts to respond by imposing sentences that serve as punishments, as well as deterrents.

Alex Rooke, a lawyer for the prosecution, described the substance found as “a frothy, murky liquid”.

“Mr Kerr said that this bottle was his,” he told the court. “He said that it was washing up liquid that his mother had given him because he was homeless.”

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard the liquid was tested and found to have a Ph level of 12, making it a highly corrosive substance.

Kerr, who has a string of previous convictions, including one for possession of a bladed article, was jailed for 12 months.

Detective Sergeant Mike Stubbins, of Tower Hamlets CID, said the “excellent result” reflects how seriously the police and courts view the possession of acid and noxious substances.

“There was no good reason for Kerr to be carrying this fluid around with him and this sends out a message that police will not hesitate to arrest anyone believed to be carrying these types of substances, and pursue prosecutions vigorously,” he added.

“These substances can be, and unfortunately are, used in the commission of crimes which have a huge impact on victims’ lives.”

Nasreen Yadallee from the Crown Prosecution Service, said the label of the fizzy drink bottle containing the liquid had been removed.

“It was clear he was carrying it as a weapon, ready to use on someone if the need arose,” she added.

“Carrying a corrosive substance for the purpose of causing injury is a criminal offence punishable with a prison sentence.”

The Metropolitan Police is urging members of the public to report anyone they suspect of carrying a noxious substance to call police on 101 or 999 in an emergency, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Additional reporting by PA