A man experienced a horrifying acid attack while buying sweets for a friend's child at his local shop.

The victim, who had a prior conflict with 18-year-old Kayden Ainsley, encountered Ainsley and Casey Thomas Kenworthy, 24, along with another individual, outside a shop in Moston.

Moments after the encounter, someone from the group hurled a substance at the victim's face, which was later identified as hydrochloric acid.

The attack left the man with skin and eye irritation. Thanks to the quick responses of a shopkeeper who helped rinse off some of the acid, the injuries were less severe.

Both Ainsley and Kenworthy, from Blackley, denied throwing the acid initially but eventually accepted their involvement and guilt. They pleaded guilty to section 20 wounding and were sentenced to prison.

Prosecutor Emma Kehoe revealed that a confrontation between Ainsley and the victim had occurred a week earlier, during which threats were exchanged, putting the victim in fear.

On January 24, the victim was at Charlie Wines in Moston to buy sweets for his friend's child when he encountered the trio again. As he crossed the road, one of the three men threw the acid at him, causing extreme facial discomfort.

The shopkeeper's quick intervention by washing his face helped relieve some of the pain. The police arrived, and the victim was rushed to the hospital where he was treated for chemical burns.

Both Ainsley and Kenworthy were arrested and initially denied the accusations. They later accepted their participation in the incident, leading to the victim suffering psychological distress and fear for his safety.

Ainsley has a history of 23 convictions for 60 crimes, including attempted robbery and dangerous driving. Kenworthy had fewer previous convictions. During sentencing, the court reviewed CCTV footage that seemingly showed Kenworthy throwing the acid, implicating both men in the attack.

Judge Stephen Davis stated that regardless of who threw the acid, both men were equally responsible as they were aware that acid was present and used during the assault.

The judge emphasized the severity of using acid as a weapon and acknowledged the pre-existing tension between the parties. Ainsley was sentenced to 30 months in prison, while Kenworthy received a 26-month sentence.