A former medical student from England is now behind bars for disguising himself as a Black woman to throw acid on his ex-girlfriend.
In May of this year, 25-year-old Milad Rouf wore a "fat suit," face shield and blackface makeup to conceal his identity before heading to his ex-girlfriend's home. The two had been dating while attending Cardiff University, both studying medicine.
Rouf's ex-girlfriend and former colleague Rym Alaoui opened the door to find sulfuric acid squirted into her face. Witnesses described a "woman, fat build, 5'5" with short hair" as the assailant.
After fleeing the scene, footage of Rouf had shown him disposing of the disguise in trashcans along the seafront in Brighton.
The burns caused Rym Alaoui permanent and life-altering injuries.
This happened just six weeks after Alaoui ended the relationship with Rouf.
Authorities' investigation lead them to Rouf's home where a shopping list containing items such as a "fat suit," "face paint," "two full head face masks" and a "black morph suit" was found.
Prosecutor Flora Page explained to the court:
"Using padded clothing and makeup, he made himself appear to be a black woman of large build."
"By the time of the attack at 4.15pm, he was dressed all in black and he was wearing a face mask, sunglasses and a face visor."
Before sentencing, Judge Christine Laing said she saw no remorse from Rouf for the pain he inflicted on Alaoui, who has undergone five surgeries and has lost sight in her right eye.
Laing said:
"You thought about what you wanted to do and how you were going to do it and planned it over weeks before carrying it out."
"You knew full well what you were doing was wrong and you tried to evade responsibility for it to continue to pursue your medical career."
Rouf, who plead guilty, was sentenced to 11 years plus four years on licence and must serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being considered for parole.
In her victim's statement, Alaoui shared the impact this horrific attack has had on her life."When I came to answer the door that day, a substance I now know to be sulfuric acid was thrown into my face."
"Since the day I was subject to this horrific attack, my life has changed. I live in pain and fear of my future wellbeing and financial hardship."
"The impact of the attack includes severe damage to my right eye which I am still unable to see out of. Damage to eyelids and damage to skin on face, neck and arm."
"I am unable to move my neck and close my eyelids. I have had five surgeries. I'm still trying to come to terms with more procedures and operations."
"I am unable to attend work or live my life. I have been robbed of years of my career and young adult life. The psychological effect had been colossal on me, my family and loved ones."
"I cannot begin to imagine why somebody would commit such a premeditated and horrible attack. I cannot understand what was in his mind."
Some are saying the sentence was not enough.
The BBC obtained a clip from Rouf's interview with the police and when asked how he felt about the horrific injuries he caused to Alaoui, all he could say was, "No comment," with a blank expression.
Judge Laing described this as an attack based on "jealousy and anger" over being rejected.
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