Family of nurse killed in acid attack tell killer 'you not only destroyed her life, but all of ours too'

Joanne Rand was hit with the high-strength sulphuric acid on 3 June last year as she sat on a bench in High Wycombe

Xeneral Webster is being sentenced at Reading Crown Court after admitting manslaughter in the first acid killing in the UK (PA)

The family of Joanne Rand have faced the man who admitted to her manslaughter as they read victim impact statements during a sentencing hearing.

Xeneral Webster is being sentenced at Reading Crown Court after admitting manslaughter in what prosecutors say is the first acid killing in the UK.

He had armed himself with a corrosive substance, which was knocked from his hand by another male. Ms Rand was hit with the high-strength sulphuric acid on 3 June last year as she sat on a bench in Frogmoor, High Wycombe.

The hearing was told of the effect Ms Rand's death has had on her family.

Her sisters, Lynn Ryan and Jacqueline Joiner, stood and looked at Webster directly as they told him what he had done to them.

Ms Joiner said: “Xeneral Webster, you killed Jo, you took her away from us, you did this to our family.”

She added: “Whatever sentence you get will never be enough to give us justice for the loss of Jo.

“We would hate for this to happen to another family.

“There has to be some deterrent for these evil acid attacks as people not only can be traumatised and disfigured for life, they can also die.

“Do you feel any remorse for what you did? You certainly seem to have no regard for anyone, and need to be held accountable for your actions on 3 June, 2017.

“For the safety of everyone and so you don't do this again, we hope you get locked up for a very long time.”

Unable to face the family of his victim, Webster looked away from the sisters as they read their statements to the court.

Ms Rand's daughter Katie Pitwell told Webster in her statement: “You not only destroyed her life, but all of ours too.

She added: “There has to be consequences. I just hope you face up to what you have done and feel some kind of remorse.”

Press Association