The father of a three-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm after a suspected acid attack on his son.

The 39-year-old – who cannot be named for legal reasons – appeared alongside Adam Cech, Jan Dudi, and Norbert Pulko, aged 27, 25, and 22, who are all from London, and Jabar Paktia, 41, from Wolverhampton.

The five were all charged overnight by West Mercia Police and appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

The boy suffered serious burns to his face and an arm at the Home Bargains store in Worcester on Saturday afternoon and was discharged from hospital the following day.

It is not yet known whether he has suffered longer term implications as a result of his injuries.

The suspected attack occurred in the Tallow Hill area of Worcester.

The men are due to appear at Worcester Crown Court on August 28.