THREE defendants have been convicted for their involvement in a plot to attack a man with acid and a knife.

At the Old Bailey today the jury returned their verdict in the four-week trial of the alleged conspiracy to murder or cause GBH of 25-year-old Awais Akram in Marchant Road, Leytonstone, last July.

Mohammed Vakas, 26, of Hatherley Road, Walthamstow, was found guilty of conspiracy to murder.

Mohammed Adeel, 20, of Pearl Road, Walthamstow, and a 17-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons, were cleared of conspiracy to murder, but both found guilty of conspiracy to cause GBH (grevious bodily harm).

Vakas had pleaded guilty to conspiring to cause GBH, but denied conspiracy to murder, whereas the other two defendants denied both charges.

They will be sentenced at 12noon tomorrow (May 11) at the Old Bailey.

Witnesses said the victim resembled a “zombie in a horror movie” after being doused with sulphuric acid during a so-called revenge attack over a relationship with a married woman, the jury heard.

Mr Akram was allegedly attacked because of a relationship he had formed on Facebook with Sadia Khatoon, who lived with her husband in Hervey Park Road, Walthamstow.

It is alleged that Mrs Khatoon's husband, Shakeel Abassi, found out about the relationship and lured Mr Akram to an ambush.

Sadia Khatoon's brother, Vakas, her cousin, Adeel, and the 17-year-old were all said to have been recruited into the plot.

Senior Investigating officer, DCI Nigel Furness of Waltham Forest CID, said: "This has been a complex investigation which has relied upon witnesses coming forward from the community, for which we are extremely grateful, and the strength of evidence given by the victim, Awais Akram.

"Awais is to be commended for his bravery in giving evidence following a brutal attack which has left him severely disfigured for life. No words can describe the amount of courage it took for him to stand in court, face his attackers and give his account."

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