The man who was doused with acid by a mysterious motorcyclist while waiting to sell his car earlier this month has suffered partial loss of vision in one eye.

Francis Scerri, 59, a headmaster in a private school, was rushed to hospital with chemical burns to his face on December 8. Passers-by heard him crying out in pain from his parked car in Transfiguration Avenue, Lija.

Following the incident he had been complaining that he could not see properly but doctors were waiting to see whether or not the condition was temporary. It has now been confirmed that he has permanently lost some of the vision in his right eye because of corneal abrasions, according to sources close to the police investigation.

He has undergone plastic surgery to parts of his face which were disfigured by the acid.

It is understood that Mr Scerri had agreed to meet an anonymous caller who had expressed interest in buying his car, which was up for sale.

Police investigators now believe this was likely to have been a set-up.

Mr Scerri had told the police that he drove to the meeting place next to the Belvedere Tower, where he sat waiting in his car. Suddenly, a motorcyclist drove by and threw acid at him through the car's window.

However, he did not recognise his aggressor because he was wearing a helmet.

Mr Scerri was initially reported to live in Nadur, as his ID card carries this address, but he actually resides in Għargħur. He is the headmaster at St Michael's Senior School in San Ġwann and sits on the council of the Private Schools Association.

Formerly known as Brother Geoffrey, he previously taught at De La Salle College in Vittoriosa and Stella Maris College in Gżira.

Meanwhile, an examination of the acid used established it also contained oil. It is thought this was probably heated shortly before the attack.

A number of people have been questioned and several motives investigated, including revenge. No arrests have been made so far.