Man blinded by acid calls for tougher laws after Clapham attack injures nine

05 February 2024 , 12:15

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Andreas Christopheros says his life was severely impacted after he was subjected to an acid attack (Image: LinkedIn)

A dad who was blinded in an acid attack has called for the government to have a "stronger stance" following an attack in South London.

Andreas Christopheros, from Truro, said he is one of only a "handful of people" who understands what victims are going through. It comes after he endured life-altering injuries when his attacker David Phillips hurled sulphuric acid at him in 2014. Phillips travelled from Hastings to the father's home in Cornwall after he targeted the wrong address. The case of mistaken identity left the dad battling with painful burns, scarring and endless surgery.

Nearly 10 years after the devastating attack, Andreas says he is shocked by the level of acid incidents that are still being reported. Speaking about the latest attack which took place in Clapham, he said he will "always find it shocking that we're still having this level of attacks in the UK".

He told the Mail Online that he still "can't find the words to adequately describe" what acid being poured over him felt like. He recalled opening his home door to Phillips - who shouted "this is for you, mate" before throwing acid in his face. Andreas described the pain as "agonising." He added: "Like a burning, but somehow different than if a flame was involved".

Andreas was hospitalised with serious injuries after the incident (Andreas Christopheros / SWNS)

Andreas pictured with his wife Pia after the attack (James Dadzitis / SWNS.com)

Speaking about the ordeal previously, Andreas said he would "rather have been shot". He said: "I would rather have been stabbed. I would have been able to rebuild my life. I wouldn’t have to get up every morning and look at my disfigured face." Andreas was left blind in his left eye and with severely limited vision in his right. "I will never, ever be the same again," he said.

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

Phillips was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum of eight years, but a 2016 appeal saw that sentence reduced to 16 years. Part-way through his sentence, Phillips was moved to an open prison and became eligible for parole after serving eight years. "The government needs to take a stronger stance and look at sentencing guidelines, educating judges so they know the severity of the injuries and decanting legislation," Andreas said in an article with the BBC.

Police are hunting for Abdul Shokoor Ezedi in connection to the Clapham attack (Metropolitan Police/AFP via Gett)

Andreas said he is one of a few people who knows how hard life will be for a group of people attacked with a corrosive substance in Clapham. Nine people, including five police officers, were rushed to hospital. Two young girls, aged three and eight were also injured.

The youngest, with her mum, have suffered life changing injuries. The three remain in hospital. "The woman attacked this week will have to find the strength to pick herself up and power on," he told The Mail. " It will impact every hour of her waking and sleeping life - at least, that's what it's done to me."

Monica Charsley