A MAN has been remanded in custody after being charged in connection with an acid attack on a St Helens dad last year.

Jonathan Gordon, from Liverpool, was arrested as part of National Crime Agency-led Operation Venetic.

The 33-year-old has been charged in relation to an acid attack on a dad-of-three Lee Deakin on Milton Street, Sutton Manor in St Helens on April 14, 2019.

Mr Deakin, 38, was outside his home on April 14 this year, when a chemical substance was thrown at him.

After being rushed to Whiston Hospital, he was referred to St Paul’s Eye Unit at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

St Helens Star: The National Crime Agency described the abuse as 'a significant and emerging threat'

The Star reported last year how he underwent an operation where surgeons transplanted amniotic membrane on both eyes, an operation which stitches the innermost layer of a placenta on to the front section of the eye to try and regrow the damaged cells.

Describing the moments after the attack, he said: "All I could feel was intense burning – it felt like my face was melting off."

More than 15 months on from the attack came a major development in the case, as Gordon, of no fixed address, was arrested on July 23.

He has also been charged with a possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and three counts of conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm.

He is also charged with conspiring to commit further acid attacks on two men in Lancashire and Cheshire.

On May 25, 2020 Merseyside police officers attended Carisbrooke Road in Kirkdale after shots were fired in the street; one of the shots entered a property through an open window.

No one was injured.

The joint investigation by the NCA, Merseyside police, and the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (TITAN) is part of Operation Venetic, which has seen more than 750 people arrested by law enforcement across the UK following the infiltration of encrypted communications platform, Encrochat.

Jayne Lloyd, NCA Regional Head of Investigations for the North, said: “Firearms are used to intimidate, cause fear, and are linked to serious violence on our streets - we simply won’t tolerate this level of violence in our communities.

“We work closely with our partners in law enforcement to pursue the criminals behind this type of activity and keep our communities safe.”

Gordon appeared before Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, July 25 to face several charges.

He was further remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on, August 24.