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Leeds mum in bleach attack horror
Teenage yobs threw bleach over a Leeds mum after she complained about their behaviour at the cinema.
The 46-year-old's eyesight may be permanently damaged following the attack.
The family were watching Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at the Vue Cinema, Kirstall Road, Kirstall, when the mum complained to the gang of five or six boys about their behaviour, and then staff.
Throughout, the group were making and receiving calls on illuminated mobiles, shouting loud comments and disturbing other families who also asked them to be quiet.
The family left the cinema at about 7.30pm on Sunday and went to the nearby Frankie and Benny's restaurant.
As they walked towards the restaurant the gang shouted obscene abuse at them from a small white or silver hatchback car.
The family ignored the shouts and continued to the restaurant.
But 15 minutes later as the mother, her husband and two young children were seated awaiting their meal with their backs to the entrance, two of the gang walked into the restaurant.
Suddenly the woman felt liquid being squirted from a bottle and she smelled bleach. The liquid streamed over the woman's head and back and began to burn her face and hair.
The liquid, later found to be toilet bleach, also splashed her children's clothing.
Her attackers ran off across the car park and down Kirkstall Road chased by the woman's husband. They leapt into the hatchback which was parked in Greenhow Road, opposite McDonalds.
The mother was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary where she was treated for burns to her skin and had her eyes washed out and examined for damage.
She was later allowed to go home, but is still to undergo tests to establish if her eyes have been permanently affected by the caustic liquid.
One of the teenagers who threw bleach at her is described as a light-skinned mixed-race male, aged about 19, 6ft tall and of athletic build. He had short, dark brown hair and was wearing a black short-sleeved T-
shirt and black bottoms.
The other is described as Asian, aged about 14, around 5ft 4in tall, and fat. He was wearing black clothing.
The driver of the hatchback, which may have five doors and tinted rear windows, is white, aged 17 to 18, of wiry build, with light-coloured crew cut hair.
Another of the group was a black girl, aged about 14, 5ft 2in tall and thin, with her hair tied back in a braid.
Det Insp Richard Baildon, of North West Leeds Division, said: "This was a completely unwarranted attack on a mother out with her family. It was a deliberate act designed to cause pain and injury and it was totally unprovoked and unnecessary.
"We are treating it very seriously and are determined to trace those responsible. The area would have been busy at the time and we are appealing to anyone who saw this group or the vehicle in the area to get in touch.
"I also appeal to anyone who knows these people or who may have heard them talking about the incident to pass on any information, anonymously via Crimestoppers if needed.
"I would also appeal to any members of the group who may want to distance themselves from the actions of the others to get in touch before we come and find you."
Witnesses should contact PC Kate Lonsdale at Weetwood police station via 0845 6060606 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 11 February 2012
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Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
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