A man who masterminded a brutal acid attack on a Southampton woman has had an appeal against his conviction and sentence rejected, writes Andrew Napier.

Billy Midmore was sentenced for 15 years for his involvement in the acid attack on Carla Whitlock in Guildhall Square after a drug deal went wrong.

The attack left her scarred and blind in one eye.

Both Billy Midmore and his brother Geoffrey were sentenced for a joint charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Billy, who pleaded not guilty, was found guilty by jury after a seven-day trial last April, was sentenced to 15 years in prison with five years on licence.

Geoffrey, who threw the acid and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, was sentenced to nine years behind bars.

However Billy Midmore appealed his conviction and sentence, but his case was rejected by the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales Lord Thomas, sitting as the Court of Appeal for the first time in Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday.

Barrister Mark Ruffell, for Midmore, questioned why Geoffrey Midmore who threw the acid, was not questioned in court about Billy’s intentions.

The court heard that Geoffrey Midmore had texted his partner Jamie Lee Stuart on Whatsapp, about him and his brother being robbed.

The court heard his message said: “It is cool though I know who robbed me and set me up.”

The next message sent to her had a picture of the acid with a caption saying “this is the one, the facemelter”.

Mr Ruffell argued that Billy Midmore did not throw the acid and was not aware of this message being sent.

He said: “There is no evidence that Billy knew that the photo was taken, did he share the Geoffrey Midmore’s intention which is what the crown is relying on.

“Nobody stopped to ask him did you ever discuss this with your brother? We were deprived of that opportunity.”

He also argued that although Billy and Geoffrey had been seen that day together, it is unclear whether they spent the day together, he said: “The issue was the acid attack joint enterprise or just something done by Geoffrey Midmore.”

During the previous trial, Billy Midmore had argued that the acid was being used to clean a toilet, and not for the purpose of attacking Carla Whitlock.

The court heard how Billy Midmore had a number of convictions against him, while Geoffrey had just one for not paying a train fare.

The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal against conviction and refused his appeal against his sentence.

They denied him leave to appeal against his sentence, and said they will give those reasons at a later date.