A British citizen of Indian origin who had an ‘obsessional hatred’ for the legal profession has been jailed indefinitely for attacking a team of lawyers with acid.
The 55-year-old Ashok Mahajan has been jailed for splashing contents of a bottle of hydrochloric acid over a barrister, a solicitor and a pupil after his case for racial discrimination claim was dismissed.
A former accountant, Mahajan had a decade-long history of courtroom outbursts including an incident when he threw a shoe at one barrister and threatened to shoot him.
Mahajan was given an indefinite period of imprisonment by the Sothward Crown Court for public protection after reports indicated he posed a high risk of serious harm to members of the legal profession.
He was convicted of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent following a three-week trial earlier this year.
Judge Nicholas Lorraine-Smith said Mahajan was the most difficult defendant he had ever dealt with.
The judge told him: “I have had extensive dealings with you, Mr Mahajan, over the last six months, and I have no doubt whatsoever that there is a very significant risk of serious injury being caused by you committing further specified offences.
