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Billy and Geoffrey Midmore, who were arrested in Medway, jailed for acid attack on Carla Whitlock in Southampton

Two brothers who threw acid in a woman's face, leaving her blind in one eye, have today been jailed for a total of 24 years.

Billy and Geoffrey Midmore were arrested in Gillingham after a manhunt was launched following the horrific attack on Carla Whitlock in September.

Billy Midmore, 23, was pictured smiling and holding up a smart phone with the photo of the woman on the screen, lying on the ground holding her face in agony.

Billy and Geoffrey Midmore
Billy and Geoffrey Midmore

The picture was uploaded to a Facebook profile purporting to be Midmore's on Wednesday last week - despite him being remanded in custody.

A quiz was also shared on the profile on June 10 titled 'Is there a serial killer hiding in yourself?' for which he commented that he had "big big potential".

Midmore, of New Malden, south west London, was found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm on victim Carla Whitlock outside a bar Southamton, Hampshire, in September last year.

During the trial for the attack on Carla, jurors heard how the attack was a "debt to be paid" organised by Billy and his brother Geoffrey after she called asking for £100 of drugs before at least two men met Geoffrey and stole £2,000 of drug money.

The court was also shown CCTV footage of Billy Midmore buying drain cleaner.

His brother had described it to him in a text message that read: "This is the one. Face melter."

Geoffrey Midmore pleaded guilty to the attack at the first opportunity.

Billy, 22, was found guilty on April 12 of causing grievous bodily harm with intent following a trial at Southampton Crown Court.

Today, he was handed a 15-year sentence and an additional five years on licence.

Geoffrey, 27, pleaded guilty to the same offence in November and was handed a nine-year sentence today.

The brothers jointly carried out the horrific attack against Ms Whitlock outside Turtle Bay restaurant in Southampton.

She suffered severe burns, which destroyed the sight in one of her eyes.

Carla Whitlock has been left blind in one eye
Carla Whitlock has been left blind in one eye

Since the gloating picture was uploaded to Facebook, prison staff have raided Billy's cell, stripped him of his privileges and placed him in a segregation unit.

He will now face a police investigation which could result in extra prison time.

Offenders are not allowed access to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter while in prison.

But it is not known who has been running the account.

A Prison Service spokesman said: "This behaviour is completely unacceptable and our thoughts are with the victim of this terrible crime.

"We have carried out a search of this offender's cell and the social media account has now been removed.

"He has been stripped of his privileges, placed in the segregation unit and faces a police investigation, with the potential of additional time in prison."

Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith said the picture upload was a "highly insensitive" thing to do.

He said: "If it's him that has found a way to upload the images then it's a very insensitive thing to do and shows no sign of someone convicted of a heinous crime being remorseful.

"If it's someone else uploading on to his account then it's again very insensitive to the victim and to Billy Midmore ahead of his sentencing.

"I think this could be a good example to show the Ministry of Justice that perhaps they should look into shutting down social media sites for people who are about to be sentenced, I would say that's a very reasonable expectation."

After sentencing, Chief Inspector Debra Masson said: "The level of injury caused by such an attack is life-changing, and I know that Carla still faces many challenges, alongside the permanent loss of sight in one of her eyes, due to this barbaric act.

"This was a premeditated assault carried out by two men of violence who regularly came to Hampshire to pursue a criminal enterprise, and make people's lives a misery.

"The evidence shown in court of their behaviour directly after the attack, coupled with their concerted efforts to evade capture, served to expose them as the dangerous criminals they are.

"Officers in Southampton, and across Hampshire, are committed to shielding communities from drug related violence and we continue to carry out proactive operations to tackle those coming to Hampshire to set up a criminal enterprise, exploit vulnerable people and use violence to run their 'business'.

"Although things will never be the same for Carla, we hope that the sentence handed two Geoffrey and Billy Midmore today goes some way to giving her closure and allows her to feel that justice has been delivered."

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