Shocking moment gangster squirted ‘acid’ at biker in terrifying robbery
THIS is the shocking moment shotgun gangster Darren Appleby hurled ‘acid’ at a motorcyclist during a daylight robbery.
Appleby, 23, launched last May’s brazen ambush with associate Jordan Heron, 24, in Newcastle.
He was part of a mob of six locked up for their role in a gang war.
Appleby and Heron were caged for the attack with a third suspect on the run.
Leeds Crown Court heard how three attackers used a silver Renault Megane to stop a man Appleby was in dispute with and began brawling with him in the middle of the road.
Horrifying video footage showed the thug douse his victim with the substance as two accomplices look on.
‘ACID’ HURLED AT VICTIM
Appleby is filmed going to the car boot to arm himself with the liquid before throwing it in the motorcyclist’s face and eye.
Prosecutor Matthew Donkin said: “Appleby said he would ‘get the tools’ and took out a bottle with warning labels on it and a man-made hole in the top to allow it to be squirted.
“He then said ‘I’ve got ammonia here’ and repeatedly squirted it at the victim.
“On the third attempt, he got it in the victim’s right eye and down his neck and chest.”
He repeatedly squirted it at the victim. On the third attempt, he got it in the victim’s right eye and down his neck and chest
Prosecutor, Matthew Donkin
He added: “The complainant said he could not see or breathe properly and could feel a burning sensation.”
Testing revealed the noxious substance was not ammonia and was possibly petrol or diesel.
Appleby later phoned the victim and told him “you’re f*****g dead now, you’re a f*****g grass”.
‘I WAS TERRIFIED’
A statement read in court from the victim said he was “convinced it was acid, I was terrified I was going to be blinded”.
Sentencing Applby for a string of offences, Judge Simon Batiste described him as a “thoroughly dangerous young man”.
Appleby was sentenced to four years and eight months for the robbery, but will be behind bars for 24 years for other offences.
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He was also convicted of two counts of conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life, possessing a firearm without a certificate, namely a pump-action rifle, and possessing ammunition without a certificate, namely .22 bullets.
He was found guilty of possession of an offensive weapon in relation to the modified bottle of noxious liquid used in the robbery.
Heron was sentenced to two years in custody and a further two on licence for robbery.
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