Acid attack victim Carla Whitlock reveals she is living 'a shell of a life'

Since having acid thrown in her face Carla Whitlock has said she is living a "shell of a life."

The mother-of-six from Southampton has gone from finding security in a flat after being homeless for years to having her world ripped apart by two brothers on the hunt for revenge after a "drug deal gone wrong."

She has had to come to terms with becoming blind from the attack while struggling to find a safe place to sleep and starving for days on end.

In the months after having drain cleaner thrown in her face, Carla, 37, was sleeping rough on the streets or in Southampton car parks in tents and she is still not allowed to see her children.

As reported by the Daily Echo her attackers have been brought to justice and she is attempting to rebuild her life - away from drugs and in a new home.

Geoffrey Midmore, 27, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent after admitting throwing acid at Carla last year.

Evidence was stacked upon him as police discovered text messages of the drain cleaner which burned Carla's eyes and face, calling it a "face melter."

Yesterday his brother Billy, 22, also of no fixed address, was found guilty of the same charge by jurors.

Carla told the Daily Echo: "It's a miserable existence. I have no life, everything has changed.

"I always feel like something bad is about to happen and I am in constant pain, I had to get used to the idea of being blind while being homeless, that's no way to live.

"I didn't have time to accept it I was just thrown into a different, tougher way of living, I don't think I will ever truly be able to escape what has happened, I have to carry this forever.

"I feel beaten down by it all, everything has been so broken and I want to feel safe again."

The unanimous verdict came after a seven-day trial where Carla and her partner Matthew Wedgner gave evidence alongside witnesses who were there outside of Turtle Bay in Guildhall Square, Southampton, on the night of September 18 last year.

Jurors heard how Billy and Geoffrey came to Southampton to sell drugs, bringing at least £4,000 worth of crack and heroin to the city at a time, transporting it from London by swallowing up to four ounces of drugs wrapped in cling film or condoms.

The dealers made a reputation for themselves, making up to £3,000 a day selling drugs.

Carla admitted to the jury that her and Matthew were drug users and had come across the Midmore brothers as dealers.

The night before she was attacked, Carla had phoned Billy asking to buy £100 worth of drugs and he arranged for Geoffrey to meet her and make the swap.

When he got there, Geoffrey was robbed by two men, who took around £2,000 - that night Billy sent Carla a text - "you're dead."

The next day, Billy and Geoffrey were seen going to Homebase in Millbrook to buy the drain cleaner containing sulphuric acid, which they would later use to mutilate Carla's face.

That night they made their way to Turtle Bay with friends, carrying acid decanted into a wine bottle, when they crossed paths with Miss Whitlock and Mr Wedgner.

In the square Billy and Geoffrey confronted the couple and it is believed Billy barged into Mr Wedgner to distract him and get him away from Carla so that Geoffrey could throw the acid in her face as revenge for the robbery.

Witnesses recalled running to help Carla and seeing her "face melting and bright red" as she screamed in agony.

After the attack the brothers took a taxi with their friend then on a train to Basingstoke they were seen laughing and high fiving.

From there they went on the run and were arrested in Gillingham, Kent.

Judge Peter Ralls QC said: “This sort of attack is frightening and appalling, but this is a glimpse into the drugs trade.

"There are a lot of people who will do absolutely anything to get their hit of drugs and causing harms untold to other people without any care for the feelings or sensitivities of human beings.”

Billy and Geoffrey will be sentenced at a later date, yet to be decided.

PICTURED: The scene of the attack in Southampton

• PROSECUTORS and police have welcomed the guilty verdict.

Crown Prosecution Service barrister Kerry Maylin said: “Billy and Geoffrey Midmore launched a vicious attack on Carla Whitlock that left her disfigured, her face scarred and the permanent loss of sight in one eye.

“Only an hour following the attack they could be seen on the CCTV of the train high fiving and fist bumping. They were not sorry, they were jubilant.

“Nothing justifies the crime they committed. Miss Whitlock suffered greatly from her injuries and her scars will always be a reminder of what the Midmore brothers did to her.

"We hope that with these convictions she will now be able to move on with her life.”

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Brown, of Hampshire police, said the force had launched an "extensive nationwide manhunt" to track the pair down.

He added: "Billy and Geoffrey Midmore jointly carried out this horrific attack against their victim. After the attack Geoffrey and Billy went on the run in the full knowledge that we would be looking for them.

"I would like to extend my gratitude to members of the public, staff and customers at the local restaurant that went to Carla's side.

"The victim's injuries sustained as a result of the attack are horrific and will stay with her for the rest of her life and we wish her all the best.

"I would also like to praise and commend the investigation teams across the country who worked to help trace the Midmore brothers and bring them to justice, these types of incidents are extremely rare in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and I would like to provide my assurance that we continue to work to ensure our county remains a safe place to live."