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Pensioner sprayed with acid in terrifying robbery by thugs on mopeds

Acid attack: Moped robbers stole a pensioners watch before spraying him with a noxious substance in north-west London: Google
Acid attack: Moped robbers stole a pensioners watch before spraying him with a noxious substance in north-west London: Google

A pensioner was doused with acid in a terrifying robbery by two thugs on a moped, police said.

The 75-year-old man was left with an eye injury after being squirted in the face with the liquid in Stanmore, north-west London.

The thugs ripped his personalised Cartier Pasha watch, worth around £8,000, from his wrist before spraying him with acid.

Police and paramedics were scrambled to the scene in Buckingham Parade, near the Broadway, at about 5.30pm on Wednesday.

After stealing his watch, which is engraved, one of the masked attackers approached the elderly victim and sprayed the substance from a bottle, Scotland Yard said.

A passing doctor rushed to the pensioner’s aid and London Ambulance Service paramedics treated him at the scene. He was not taken to hospital.

Specialists said that if it was not for the immediate assistance from passersby, the victim may have lost his sight in one eye.

DS Amar Patel from Harrow CID, who is leading the investigation, said: "This is a despicable attack on an elderly gentleman going about his daily business.

“The victim was unable to defend himself against this vicious robbery which was following up by a senseless attack with what we now know to be a noxious substance.”

The detective added: "It is vital that we bring the culprits to justice before they target anyone else. They may well have used local petrol stations.

“Anyone who saw anything suspicious at the time or recognises the description of the suspects is urged to call our incident room or Crimestoppers anonymously."

The moped used was completely black, and the suspects wore all black clothing with helmets and visors that covered the entirety of their faces, police said.

There have been no arrests.

Anyone with information on this attack is asked to call police on 07769 162 964 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.