Ferne’s fears over Arthur’s early release
Ferne Mccann has told pals she’s nervous as jailed ex Arthur Collins, who’s also father of her daughter, tries to reduce his sentence
She endured a tough 2017, which saw her ex, Arthur Collins, sentenced to 20 years in jail for a horror nightclub acid attack, a month after she gave birth to their daughter, Sunday.
And while Ferne Mccann, 27, has taken Sunday – born last November – to visit her ex in prison after he enforced his visitation rights, she’s admitted to pals she’s been left nervous by news that he’s bidding for an early release.
Collins, 26, injured 22 people when he hurled acid across a crowded dance floor at an east London nightclub, temporarily blinding three people. A judge deemed him “dangerous” and a “significant risk” to the public, meaning he would have to serve two-thirds of his sentence before he is eligible for parole, rather than the usual half.
TRYING TO MOVE ON
Now, according to reports, lawyers plan to argue he’s not dangerous, in a bid to get his sentence reduced. If successful, it could see him serve as little as ten years in jail. A source reveals, “Ferne has always wanted to move on with her life and give Sunday the best childhood she can. She’s taken her to visit Arthur in jail because she had no choice, but the idea that he could be out when Sunday’s still so young makes her nervous. She’s not sure what that would mean with regards to visitation rights.”
ANXIOUS
Ferne revealed in an interview in November that she’d taken Sunday to visit Arthur in prison when she was just two weeks old, but insisted it would be the last time he’d see her. She said she told him, “You have ruined our lives. This is what you have done. And this is what you are missing out on. You will never see us again.”
But earlier this year, Ferne revealed her criminal ex had enforced his visitation rights. After seeking professional advice, she decided not to fight him, saying, “It’s a huge thing to have to make decisions you are forced into. I have to think of Sunday and what is best for her. It hasn’t been an easy decision and some people may think I’m wrong. But the last thing I want to do is hide what’s going on.
“I am doing this so she can make her own choice when
she’s older, rather than forcing it on her now. I hope it’s the right decision, and I think it is. Having accepted that position I had to accept I would probably also need to see Arthur again.
“If Arthur has to see Sunday, then I want absolute control of the situation. If she’s going to go to into a prison, I want to be with her and know she’s OK.”
The source adds, “Ferne desperately wants to feel in control. The idea that Arthur could be out in the next decade and want to see more of Sunday is something she never expected. She knows it’s only a possibility, but it’s left her anxious.”
DATING AGAIN
Since her split with Arthur, Ferne has remained largely single, aside from a brief romance with a mystery older man this summer. Opening up to Closer recently, the star spoke about her single life, revealing, “I’ve been giving dating a go but, honestly, it would have to be a patient man to slot into my life. I’ve texted a few guys and given a few things a go – I love a flirt.”
The source adds, “Since the ordeal with Arthur, Ferne has tried to focus on Sunday and her future happiness. She’d love to meet a new man and feel like a complete, family unit. She won’t rush anything, but she does feel ready for Mr Right”.