A man who inflicted horrific burns on two people with acid slept in the forest to avoid arrest.

John Tomlin got in an argument with a 37 year-old man on Tollgate Road, Newham, throwing acid into the open window of the victim's car, splashing him and hitting a 21 year-old woman sitting to his left.

With the woman screaming and the driver temporarily blinded, the pair tried to drive away, only for the 25 year-old to throw more acid and the car to mount the curb and crash.

After a stint of living rough in Epping Forest to avoid arrest and with his victims undergoing serious surgery in hospital, Tomlin handed himself in to police to face two counts of GBH with intent.

Detective Sergeant Dion Brown, from Newham CID, said: "This was a vicious attack, which has left two victims with substantial injuries that will stay with them for life.

"Both victims still require treatment for the burns they suffered that day and my thoughts are with them as they continue their recovery.

"Although the bottle Tomlin used to carry the substance was never found, testing on some of the liquid recovered from the crime scene showed it was a strong acid, equivalent to hydrochloric acid."

The attack begun at 9.13am on June 21, 2017 when Tomlin first threw the corrosive substance.

As the male victim pulled the car into the road, the Colman Road resident ran around the vehicle and splashed more liquid through the driver's side window.

He then ran alongside the moving vehicle until it outpaced him.

The substance was so strong that it melted the victims' skin and clothes and burnt through the car's seats and dashboard.

A member of the public took both victims to an east London hospital in his car after encountering the incident.

Both victims suffered extensive burns to their faces and bodies and have required plastic surgery.

They are still being treated for their injuries.

An immediate investigation was launched by detectives from Newham Borough, and Tomlin was quickly identified as a suspect.

A manhunt began to find him, with Tomlin handing himself in on July 9, 2017.

Having pleaded guilty to two counts of GBH with intent, today (April 20) he was sentenced to 16 years, to run currently and with each offence including an additional four year extended licence.

The Judge ordered that he serve at minimum of two thirds of the sentence before release.

Det Serg Brown added: "I am glad Tomlin accepted his responsibility for the attack and spared his victims having to relive that terrible ordeal at court.

"Acid attacks can inflict terrible, disfiguring injuries and cause excruciating pain. Those who cause such injuries can expect severe consequences when they are brought to justice.

"That is why the sentence today reflects the extreme seriousness of this crime."