A DISABLED father was burnt in the face when he was hit by a chemical fired from a water pistol. Richard Scerrie, 37, has been told by doctors he is lucky not to have been blinded in the attack, which happened in east Hull on Sunday.
He suffered burns to his cheeks, nose, mouth and hand when the chemical was fired from a car window.
"It was pure insanity," said Mr Scerrie.
"I had just been to the shop to get a drink because I was visiting my brother-in-law, and the next minute I was in agony."
Mr Scerrie was targeted by a gang in a car as he waited to cross the road in Southcoates Lane.
When the car pulled up, a man in the back pointed a pistol, similar to a Super Soaker, through the window and fired at Mr Scerrie.
He was left reeling from pain on the side of the road as he tried to wipe the liquid from his face.
Mr Scerrie said the gang then laughed at him before speeding off.
"I could see the group of lads in the car had been looking at me for a while as it got closer," he said.
"I then saw what looked like a pistol come out of the back window and then it soaked me.
"The taste was vile and I thought it was urine at first because of the weird taste.
"But then, almost immediately, my face and hands started to burn. I was in agony and wondered what the hell was going on.
"I am the sort of man that, if it was water or something, I would have taken the practical joke on the chin, but this was a far more malicious attack."
Mr Scerrie lives in Keyingham with his wife Carrie, 28, and two children. In recent months, he has suffered from two strokes and a heart attack, leaving him with difficulty walking.
He said: "Who in their right mind would spray something so vile in another person's face? It was completely random and I am convinced it was some form of acid.
"The pain was instant and agonising. I can't stop itching. The doctor told me if it had hit me in the eye I could have been blinded."
Police investigating the attack, which happened at around 5.15pm on Sunday, arrested a 17-year-old boy on Monday morning.
Officers are examining CCTV footage from the area as part of the inquiry.
A police statement said: "A 35-year-old man was waiting for a break in traffic to cross the road when a blue Peugeot 206 pulled up and a passenger sprayed the victim with a Super Soaker, in the face, before driving off at speed.
"The victim reported having burns to his forehead, around his eyes and fingers. He attended Hull Royal Infirmary for treatment.
"It was initially believed the water pistol contained a corrosive liquid.
"But the injuries were not consistent with the liquid being corrosive. We would best describe it as an unknown substance."
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