A pensioner is facing jail after being found guilty of involvement in a door-step acid attack which left his teenage ex-girlfriend with horrific injuries.

Mohammed Rafiq, 80, had denied organising the attack on 19-year-old Vikki Horsman, who was left with serious burns to her face and neck.

A jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court also convicted two other men, Steven Holmes and Shannon Heaps, of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Miss Horsman on April 15 this year.

Ms Horsman, now 20, had informed Rafiq that she was leaving him due to his controlling behaviour shortly before the attack in Tividale, West Midlands.

During a three-week trial the prosecution detailed how Rafiq, of Cheshire Road, Smethwick, masterminded a plan to injure his ex-girlfriend in revenge for her decision to leave.

He enlisted the help of 25-year-old Holmes, of Allan Close, Smethwick, and 23-year-old Heaps, of Queens Avenue, Tividale, to carry out the attack.

Initially Rafiq was treated as a victim, having also suffered minor burns when splashed with the corrosive liquid, but his part in the plot later became clear to investigating officers and he was charged with causing grievous bodily harm and perverting the course of justice.

Commenting after the trial, Detective Constable Jason Moseley, the investigating officer in the case, said: "This was a horrifying and complex case which centred around a controlling relationship.

"Rafiq's young ex-partner was seriously injured and left with devastating, lasting scars, which one can only presume was his intent given the nature of the planned attack.

"He recruited two people to carry out the attack on his behalf and then tried to claim that he was also a victim.

"His victim now has to rebuild her life and move on from what was ultimately a controlling, abusive relationship that she paid a high price to leave."

In a statement issued following the guilty verdicts, Ms Horsman said: "What happened that day changed my life forever. I have had to undergo lots of treatment for the burns and the damage those people caused.

"I still have sleepless nights and keep leaving my home to stay with friends and relatives as I can't bear to be on my own. This is what those people have done to me - all because I had the courage to be my own person and escape a controlling man.

"I know I have to be strong and am pleased that justice has been done but no matter how satisfied I am to see Rafiq and the others go to jail, that won't turn the clock back and take away the scars they have left me with."

Rafiq, Heaps and Holmes will be sentenced at the same court next Friday.