Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Wednesday 16th April 2025 at 07:20hrs
A 22-year-old man from Rochdale has been sentenced to eight years and two months in prison after throwing a corrosive substance over a 16-year-old boy in a brutal attack in Stockport.
Gilson Martins, of Ashton Street, Rochdale, appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday, April 15th, 2025) where he received his sentence.
He had previously pleaded guilty to robbery, possession of a corrosive substance, and witness intimidation. The sentence also included unrelated drug offences from 2022.
The court heard that on March 24th, 2024, Martins had discussed attacking his teenage victim and subsequently formulated a plan to carry out the assault.
Disturbingly, Martins even demonstrated the potency of the substance to another individual by pouring it onto a piece of paper.
Later that evening, an accomplice contacted the victim and arranged to meet him at an address in the Woodley area. Martins accompanied the accomplice to the location.
Shortly before 10 pm, Martins confronted the 16-year-old boy, and an altercation ensued. During the confrontation, Martins produced a bottle containing acid and threw the corrosive liquid over the teenager before fleeing the scene.
Emergency services swiftly arrived at the location, and tests confirmed that a corrosive substance had been used in the attack.
The young victim sustained serious injuries and was immediately taken to a local hospital. He was later transferred to a specialist burns unit where he underwent intensive treatment.
He continues to suffer the effects of the attack and has undergone numerous treatments and procedures.
Days after the assault, on April 4th, after another man had spoken to the police about the incident, Martins targeted him as well. He went to the man’s home, kicked in his back door, and made threats to stab him, throw acid on him, and carve his name into his body.
While the man barricaded himself in his bedroom, Martins continued his terrifying threats, even knifing the bedroom door and leaving the blade behind before police were called. Martins fled the scene shortly before officers arrived.
Following these incidents, police launched a manhunt for Martins, who was eventually apprehended by armed officers on April 10th. Upon his arrest, he was found to be in possession of acid concealed within a bottle of hair dye.
Detective Constable Heather Parke, from GMP’s Stockport district, condemned the attack, saying: “The effects of attacks involving corrosive substances are well-known, and can result in severe, life-changing injuries or even death.”
She added, “Using them in attacks is utterly vile and I am glad Martins is now behind bars for his vicious assault.
His victim received injuries from which he is still suffering, and has already received numerous treatments.”
Detective Constable Parke reiterated the police’s commitment to tackling such crimes:
“We have zero tolerance for these sort of crimes, and we put considerable resources into ensuring that Martins was arrested, charged, and sentenced. He now has a long time to think about his actions inside a prison cell.”
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