A three-year-old boy was squirted with acid in an attack organised by his father who was in a custody dispute with his estranged wife, a court heard today.
The father is alleged to have plotted with six others because he wanted to 'manufacture' evidence against his wife to show she was 'unable to properly to care for them'.
The youngster, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, suffered serious burns to his face and arm at the Home Bargains store in Worcester on July 21, last year.
His 40-year-old father is charged with conspiring to unlawfully or maliciously cast or throw sulphuric acid on or at the boy between June 1 and July 22, with intent to burn, maim, disfigure, or disable the minor, or do some grievous bodily harm to him.
A court sketch today showing (left to right) Norbert Pulko, Saied Hussini, the father of the boy (who cannot be identified), Martina Badiova, Adam Cech, Jabar Paktia and Jan Dudi
The incident happened at this Home Bargains store in Worcester on July 21 last year
Facing the same charge are his co-accused, who are: Adam Cech, 27, and Jan Dudi, 25, both of Birmingham; Norbert Pulko, 22, of London; Martina Badiova, 22, of Handsworth, Birmingham; Saied Hussini, 41, of London; and Jabar Paktia, 41, of Wolverhampton. They all deny the allegation.
Jonathan Rees QC, prosecuting, told Worcester Crown Court: 'This case concerns a cowardly attack on a defenceless three-year-old boy in which he was squirted with a solution of sulphuric acid.
'As a result of the attack, the little boy suffered acid burns to his left forearm and his forehead which were treated in hospital.
'Thankfully, due to the quick actions of a member of staff, the seriousness of the injuries was limited and, although it is too early to say whether or not there will be any residual
