‘Acid attacker’ seems in court docket
A suspected acid attacker appeared in court today charged with an assault with corrosive substance at one of Britain’s oldest off-grid ‘eco-villages’.
Police were called in to Tipi Valley – a peaceful hidden community of Native American-style teepee tents and eco-lodges in a Welsh valley – after the attack with the highly-corrosive acid.
A manhunt was launched for 48 hours for a suspect wanted over allegedly causing grievous bodily harm and throwing a corrosive substance.
Suspect Jivan Dean, 23, was arrested later over the alleged attack at Tipi Valley in Llandeilo on August 14.
It is a rare reported crime at the 100-tent community, which dates back to the mid-70’s when the ‘peace and love’ community was set up by a mixture of hippies and Christians looking for an off-grid lifestyle.
Suspect Jivan Dean (pictured) was arrested later over the alleged attack at Tipi Valley in Llandeilo on August 14
Police were called in to Tipi Valley (pictured) – a peaceful hidden community of Native American-style teepee tents and eco-lodges in a Welsh valley – after the attack with the highly-corrosive acid
It is a rare reported crime at the 100-tent community which dates back to the mid-70’s when the ‘peace and love’ community was set up by a mixture of hippies and Christians looking for an off-grid lifestyle
But the rural community has survived for generations – with more than 100 babies being born there over the years.
Visitors say today’s residents of varying ages are scattered across the valley in tipis, yurts and turf-roofed round huts.
The community bought fields stretch over 200 acres and even have laptops powered by solar panels.
Some of the adults work as labourers and teachers around the local villages. Others stay in the valley full time and live an off-grid life collecting firewood, repairing walkways and tending to crops.
But the peace was shattered when police issued a photograph of the suspects following the alleged attack and warned people to take care.
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police expressed gratitude to the residents of Carmarthenshire for their cooperation.
‘We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all those in our local communities who assisted officers in locating the suspect. Your patience and understanding throughout this process have been invaluable,’ the spokesperson said.
The victim of the attack hasn’t been named but locals say he is still in hospital and has serious burn injuries and may be scarred for life after the corrosive substance hit his face.
Dean, of no fixed abode, has been charged with grievous bodily harm and throwing a corrosive substance over a person in connection with the incident.
Police said a man was arrested in the Llanelli area on Friday afternoon after a ‘vigilant response’ from the local community.
The police added: ‘We would like to thank to all those in our local communities who assisted officers and for their patience and understanding.’
Dean, of no fixed abode, has been charged with grievous bodily harm and throwing a corrosive substance over a person in connection with the incident
The rural community has survived for generations – with more than 100 babies being born there over the years.
The peace in the community was shattered when police issued a photograph of the suspects following the alleged attack and warned people to take care
In court today, Dean spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth. He was remanded in custody and will appear at Swansea Crown Court on September 16.
The peace-loving residents of Tipi Valley said they were shocked by the acid throwing attack which they described as an ‘atrocity’.
Residents said the alleged attacker lived on the 200-acre hillside estate made up of huts, tatty caravans, tipis and yurts.
According to residents, the two young men knew each other and were together at a ‘social gathering’ last Wednesday when the attack happened.
But his family still live on the hillside site and he was staying with them at the time the corrosive substance was thrown.
One resident said: ‘I’ve known him since he was little and he was fine until the last few years.
‘He was kicked out but he came back. The other boy wasn’t living here but had come to see family here.
The peace-loving residents of Tipi Valley said they were shocked by the acid throwing attack which they described as an ‘atrocity’
According to residents, the two young men knew each other and were together at a ‘social gathering’ last Wednesday when the attack happened
‘I don’t know what it was over. It was a social gathering but not a party or anything, just a group of young people together.
‘These things happen everywhere, what is it with young people? Is it the food they eat, video games, I don’t know.’
Another Valley dweller said: ‘There must have been about 100 police here, forensics as well.
‘They had to, it was an atrocity, a dreadful thing to happen here of all places.
‘He legged it and there was a manhunt, we were being asked where he could be, everyone wanted him caught.’
The victim, who residents refused to name, is under ‘close medical supervision’ at the West Wales General Hospital in Carmarthen.
The resident said: ‘He’s still there five days later so that tells you how serious this is.
‘I don’t know what the corrosive substance is but it’s not battery acid.’
