Paul Atkins, 38, was the victim of a random acid attack while walking home through St Lawrence graveyard in Ramsgate, Kent, in February 2024. Two years later, his attacker remains at large, and Atkins continues to suffer from night terrors and panic attacks.
Attack Details
Atkins, a bus driver and engineer, was walking home from work around 8pm when he felt a liquid thrown on him from behind. Initially thinking it was water, he soon felt burning and found blood on his hand. His clothes began to melt from his body.
He suffered third-degree burns across his neck, back, and chest. He underwent a skin graft and plastic surgery, using skin from his thigh to replace the damaged tissue.
Ongoing Trauma
Atkins said: "I wake up in the night profusely sweating because I am having a panic attack. Even now I am still living the consequences of the attack. I have horrific scars down my chest and every time I look in the mirror it is just a constant reminder."
He has not returned to the graveyard since the attack and believes he never will due to the psychological damage.
Police Investigation
Kent Police launched a detailed investigation, including witness interviews, CCTV review, and forensic work. A man was arrested later that month but was ruled out and released without charge.
Kent Police said: "On the evening of Sunday 11 February 2024, a man had an unidentified corrosive liquid thrown at him after he entered St Laurence Graveyard, off Manston Road, Ramsgate. Following our response to the incident on the evening, a detailed investigation was carried out, which involved speaking to possible witnesses, a review of CCTV and forensic work. This resulted in the arrest of a man later the same month, but that man was later ruled out of our investigation and released without charge."
Broader Context
A Freedom of Information request by Legal Expert revealed that Kent Police recorded 86 acid attacks over the last three years. Atkins called for government-level action, saying: "These attacks destroy lives and they destroy families."
