A judge criticised the lack of remorse shown by three ammonia-wielding carjackers who launched a horrifying acid attack on boxing legend Michael Watson MBE.

Simon Luck, 29, Paul Samuels, 31, both of Bluebell Avenue, Manor Park and Anselm Legemah, 23, of Elkington Road, Plaistow were each sentenced to 16 years for conspiracy to carry out two carjackings on February 4 and 16, 2017.

Mr Watson and his carer were targeted as they drove through Chingford in February last year, with the latter being sprayed in the face and eyes with ammonia and also kicked and punched.

Sentencing the trio, His Honour Judge Oscar del Fabbro said: “Throughout the trial not one of you expressed sympathy for these victims.”

The judge described the attacks as ‘almost militaristic’ as all the robbers knew ‘exactly what to do’.He added: “There was a significant degree of planning behind these robberies.”

Commenting on the attack on Mr Watson, the judge said: “He [Mr Watson] rose to considerable fame as a world champion contender and he was made of sterner stuff both physically and mentally, unlike any of you sitting there in the dock.”

The former boxer, who is partially disabled after a boxing match with Chris Eubank in 1991, was left trapped in his seatbelt in the car door and dragged 500 yards along the road.

The gang then decided to abandon their attempt to steal the car, leaving the bottle of ammonia on the front seat.

In Mr Watson’s victim statement today, read to the court by prosecutor Robert Evans he said: “Since this ordeal I have suffered nothing but flash backs.

“I have suffered from five or six physical seizures due to stress.”

He added: ““I feel mentally stressed by what these people have done to me.

“I have turned down eight public appearances and my charity work has suffered.”

Less than two weeks before the incident, Samuels and Legemah stole a white Audi S2 from a petrol station forecourt in Loughton, Essex.

Bradley Robinson, 19, was persuaded to open his window by asking for a cigarette lighter, and had ammonia then squirted into his eyes and face, causing him permanent damage, before ordering him out of the car and driving it away.

Mr Robinson’s passenger, a 16-year-old girl, suffered burns on her legs and was forced to jump out of the car as it was moving.

The robbers used a stolen Mercedes to carry out the two attacks.

In a victim statement highlighting the impact on his life Mr Robsinson said: “I couldn’t eat, take a shower or text a friend unassisted.

“My life was ruined.”

The robbers used a stolen Mercedes to carry out the two attacks.

The group would approach their intended target from the rear, either blocking them in or shunting them to stop the vehicle they wanted to steal, before they would incapacitate them by spraying a noxious substance into their face.

Days after the Chingford offence, the crashed car was found with the airbag deployed.

Luck’s DNA was found on the airbag and a bottle of ammonia, the same brand used in both offences, was found under the passenger seat.

After the sentencing Mr Watson was very pleased that justice had been served.

He said: “I’m very pleased they’re off the streets.

“I hope this sends a good message to those out doing the same thing in society.

“It is truly a miracle I’m still here standing. I’m doing my best to get myself back on track.”

Detective chief inspector Mike Hamer from the Metropolitan Police Service said: “We welcome the sentences today, the judge has handed out significant sentences which we think reflect the seriousness of the crime.

“We’re hoping the sentences will have a deterrent effect on people who may be inclined to use noxious substances.”

Luck and Samuels were additionally sentenced for possession with intent to supply class A drugs after a quantity of drugs were discovered when officers searched their addresses last year.

Luck received four years imprisonment and Samuels was jailed for two years. Both sentences will run consecutively to the above.