THESE shocking photos show the devastating injuries a father suffered after he had acid thrown in his face.

Darren Pidgeon, 27, from Rayleigh, released the graphic photographs in a desperate bid to catch the people who attacked him in Kingsmere, Thundersley.

Two people originally arrested were released without charge and police are asking for more information.

Father-of-two Mr Pidgeon said: “I have nothing to hide any more. The police haven’t been able to find the person responsible and I just want to find out who did this to me.”

Mr Pidgeon previously told the Echo he feared he would be blinded and never see his children again after the horrific attack.

He was left needing multiple skin grafts during months of treatment and was hospitalised for four weeks.

The father, who works as a carer and painter and decorator, was driving when two people followed his car from Rayleigh Weir to Thundersley.

When he pulled over in Kingsmere, a man walked up to his open window and shouted “what’s your problem?” before spraying the acid in his eyes.

As well as covering Mr Pidgeon in the substance, his attacker punched him in the face.

He was rushed to Broomfield Hospital, which specialises in burns and plastic surgery. Surgeons used skin from his leg to try to heal burns to his face, head, shoulder and arm.

Mr Pidgeon has since moved to London as he fears his attackers could return.

He worries he will never be able to move on with his life because the attack has left him with irreversible disfigurements.

He said: “I feel like my life has been wasted. I have scars all over my skin – it doesn’t look the way it should be.

“I hope it doesn’t affect my relationships or getting a job, but I worry it will. I’ve nevermet anyone who has been the victim of an acid attack so I don’t know how to deal with it.

“I’m trying to move on with my life, but it’s hard being different and I’m not doing much at the moment.

“I’m speaking to someone about doing some volunteering to keep me from thinking about this attack, otherwise I’m sitting around and thinking about what happened.

“I moved to Essex because it’s a nice area, but I ended up getting this done.

“I need someone to come forward with information. It’s affecting my life – I’m suffering, so they should too.”

Police are appealing for information about the attack, which took place at about 11.30pm on June 3, particularly about a man aged in his early thirties who they believe may have been involved in the attack. He is about 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build and has short, lightcoloured hair.

At the time of the incident, he was wearing a light-grey polo shirt, blue denim jeans and a black hoodie.

Anyone with information in connection with this assault is urged to contact detectives at Southend police station on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.