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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.
Milad Rouf was caught on CCTV footage across Brighton disposing his disguise. He'd written a list of 31 items he needed to make his costume "Perfume, blue jeans, suspenders, fat suit..." The medical student was meticulous in his planning.pic.twitter.com/gS7oQwijtV— James Dunham \ud83d\udcfa\ud83c\udfa5\ud83d\udc68\ud83c\udffb\u200d\ud83d\udcbb (@James Dunham \ud83d\udcfa\ud83c\udfa5\ud83d\udc68\ud83c\udffb\u200d\ud83d\udcbb) 1633631090
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.
11 years is not enough for this dog!\n\nRT @BBCNews: Medical student who threw sulphuric acid over his former girlfriend jailed for 11 yearshttps://bbc.in/3BnmkKn— ENIGMATOME (@ENIGMATOME) 1633620688
This man calmly wrote down a shopping list of the ingredients needed to permanently disfigure and irreparably traumatise a young woman. Because she broke up with him. When will this nightmare of violence against women end.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-58831194\u00a0\u2026— Helen #FBIW \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc77\udb40\udc6c\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc7f\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc63\udb40\udc74\udb40\udc7f (@Helen #FBIW \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc77\udb40\udc6c\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc7f\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc63\udb40\udc74\udb40\udc7f) 1633637802
Perhaps she should have flagged down a bus. Dialled 888. Worn something different. Not been in her house at the time. Had someone else with her at all times to open the door. Taken self-defence classes. Been teetotal. Been a virgin. #StopMaleViolencehttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/07/brighton-acid-attacker-milad-rouf-jailed-for-15-years\u00a0\u2026— Sunny\u2600\ufe0f distancing (@Sunny\u2600\ufe0f distancing) 1633992196
An awful human being caused life-changing harm to a former partner because they rejected him. What jumped out for me, he disguised himself as a black woman to carry out his heinous crime. DA with a chaser of racism https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/07/brighton-acid-attacker-milad-rouf-jailed-for-15-years\u00a0\u2026— MissusMack (@MissusMack) 1633718149
unfair sentence not fitting the crime, 30 atleast without parole but hey our law systems broken, we all know it— Patrick O'Connor \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 (@Patrick O'Connor \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7) 1633679661
Out after five and a half. He'll still be a young man. God help the next woman that decides he's not the one for her.— Christopher Lee (@Christopher Lee) 1633675702
He will only serve two thirds of that. Miscarriage of justice. I hope his sentence is appealed.— elizabeth bell (@elizabeth bell) 1633694318
Another short sentence from our broken justice system— Peter Braybrooke Social Media Defluencer (@Peter Braybrooke Social Media Defluencer) 1633625890
The Crown really does need to appeal this on the basis of an unacceptably lenient sentence\nThis was a vile crime for which a life sentence would not be out of place— David of Nottingham (@David of Nottingham) 1633638506
Not much really considering her injuries have been life changing and she will never be able to work in her chosen profession of a doctor— Phoebetigs (@Phoebetigs) 1633676033
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.