Jo Brand’s "vile acid attack ‘joke’ made me relive my ordeal all over again

An acid-attack victim says he was forced to relive his ordeal all over again after Jo Brand's "vile" Radio 4 joke.

Joe Davies, 25, was left with second and third degree burns and described feeling like his body was "on fire" after having drain cleaner hurled at him.

Hearing Brand suggest that protesters should throw acid at politicians instead of milkshakes left him sickened and brought back haunting memories of his attack.

He said: "I was completely shell-shocked. I couldn't believe that a public figure was allowed to say something like that. I just couldn't believe it.

"It brought back everything. I had to relive the event all over again. Her saying what she said and making a joke of it, gives the impression that it's acceptable to say things like that. It's far from it."

"In terms of these comments the implications and impact it has further on each individual, it's making a mockery of something so serious. It's vile, absolute vile behaviour. She can say she was joking around but it's not a joking matter."

Joe was speaking out as police revealed they have launched a probe into her remarks following an allegation of incitement to violence.

Joe was left burnt and blistered at the hands of cruel Roger Comer, 45, who was jailed for nine years for the July 2017 attack in the street in Slough, Berks.

Remembering the attack he said: "It was instant burning. He just stood and watched me burn while I pleaded with him to get me some water to dilute it. He went inside the house and shut the door, locking me out.

"When the acid was on me, the first and the only thing I thought was 's**t, I need to get this off'. I can't just watch myself burn, part of me was moving around and wanting to get help but I had to find ways to distract myself from the pain that I was suffering. I just knew I had to get it off."

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has accused Brand of 'inciting violence' and says she should be prosecuted.

Joe said: "100 per cent she should be arrested. Throughout life, ever since we are kids, especially for someone like her, you are taught from a young age rules and regulations and if you don't follow them there are consequences.

"After what Jo said, I think the BBC definitely have the power to get rid of her.

"Someone like her who is on TV, saying it's pure fantasy?!! She's saying she's fantasising over an acid attack. How can she be allowed to say that and not get punished?

"I want to meet her face-to-face and show and discuss the emotional, psychological and physical damage and continuous impact this has on acid attack victims.

"She should apologise and do a lot more.  It gives other people, who support her and listen to her, the power to think 'do you know what? instead of chucking a milkshake I'm going to take it a stage further next time'.

Joe has just finished his first year at Buckinghamshire New University as he continues to recover.

He said: "Recently I've been finding things harder and harder. I've been suffering psychologically even more so so I'm trying to take it day-by-day.

"It's hard enough just getting up in the morning, let alone getting on with stuff. Recently, I've hit an all time low and then to hear the remarks she's been saying, it's just adding onto that.

"I'm still going through hell but what's done is done. I can't change that but for her to say she's not going to apologise for what she said is injust. I can't even put it into words how I feel. It just enraged me. It's just unbelievable. It really is."

Another acid attack victim has also hit out at Brand.

Sophie Hall, 23, was left scarred for life after Ferne McCann's ex Arthur Collins chucked the corrosive liquid over revellers enjoying a night out at Hackney nightclub Mangle during the Easter weekend while celebrating news TOWIE star Ferne McCann was pregnant with his child. 22 people were injured.

Sophie said: "A lot of people watch her and she is obviously a big influence and for her to joke about something like that takes away the seriousness of the act.

"We live in such a society today, that it's sad to say there are some very psychotic people out there that she might influence to actually do something like that.

"It's upsetting that someone like that in the public eye could even make a joke about it. I think it's absolutely outrageous.

"She should never have joked about it in the first place because it's not a joking matter."

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