A man was hospitalised following the incident
A man was hospitalised following the incident
08:50, 01 May 2026Updated 08:52, 01 May 2026
Two people have been charged after a bleach attack in Liverpool city centre earlier this week. Officers were called to the junction of Bold Street and Newington at around 1.55pm on Wednesday, April 29, to reports of a man and a woman squirting an unknown liquid towards a man.
Initial tests indicated the liquid was some form of domestic cleaning product and the victim was taken to hospital for assessment. He has since been discharged.
Merseyside Police confirmed the liquid to be bleach. Following the attack, Newington was cordoned off by police as officers launched an investigation.
The force said officers arrested a 22-year-old woman from Liverpool and a 23-year-old man from St Helens.
In an update today, May 1, the force confirmed Annie Woods, 22, of Minto Close, in Liverpool and Christy Hegarty, 23, of Doulton Street, in St Helens, have both been charged with throw/cast corrosive fluid with intent to burn/maim/disfigure/disable/do grievous bodily harm.
The pair have been remanded to appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court today.
In a video of the incident, seen by the ECHO, the victim, wearing a brown tracksuit, is seen to have a liquid thrown over him in the city centre.
When the ECHO arrived at Newington just before 3.30pm, police, fire crews and paramedics were at the scene.
The victim’s items of clothing, along with several bottles of water, could be seen inside the cordon.
One woman, who works on Newington, told the ECHO: “I don’t know what happened but I heard all the fuss after.
“I heard all the police sirens and then the fire engine came.”
A forensic team arrived later in the afternoon, with an officer in a white suit taking pictures of the scene from Cropper Street.
Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: “This is believed to have been a targeted attack and enquiries are ongoing to trace the suspects, who we believe made off on foot towards Oldham Street.
“I want to assure people that there is no wider risk to the public. If you were in the area or work on Bold Street, please check devices and pass on any images or footage directly to police.”
If you have any information, you can contact @MerPolCC on social media, 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with reference 26000337859.
