A father has been found guilty of helping to plot and launch an acid attack on his three-year-old son at a Home Bargains store in Worcester during a bitter custody battle.
The parent and five other men were all unanimously convicted by a jury of conspiring to throw sulphuric acid with intent to "burn, maim or disfigure" the boy in an attack inside a busy shop in July 2018.
Jurors deliberated for nine hours before convicting the 40-year-old father, who cannot be identified to protect the identity of the boy, from Wolverhampton but originally from Afghanistan.
Jurors also convicted co-conspirators Adam Cech, Jan Dudi, Norbert Pulko, Jabar Paktia, and Saied Hussini of plotting to spray sulphuric acid on the boy with intent to harm.
Deliberations are continuing for Martina Badiova, on trial alongside the men, who is facing the same charge.
The youngster, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, suffered serious burns to his face and arm at the Home Bargains store in Worcester.
During the trial the jury at Worcester Crown Court was told how the injured child screamed “I hurt” over and over again after being struck by the acid and were shown the store’s CCTV footage capturing the incident.
The boy suffered a 10cm burn to his left forearm, and a 3cm burn on his forehead, which needed specialist hospital treatment.
The Crown alleged that the father, stung by his wife walking out on him in 2016, enlisted others to attack his son - in a bid to win more contact with the child by showing that his mother was unfit to care for him.
The attack took place as the three-year-old was standing with his brother looking at toy footballs.
He has since made a "good recovery" and is living with his mother.
