20 yrs TV Ferne’s ex jailed for acid attack
Ferne’s ex jailed for club acid attack
NIGHTCLUB acid thug Arthur Collins has been handed a 25-year sentence after a judge lashed his lack of remorse over the “despicable” attack.
Collins, 25, was branded “dangerous” yesterday as it emerged he had previously threatened to have an ex’s mum “raped and acid thrown in her face”. The petty drug dealer, who injured more than 20 people in the Easter Sunday attack, looked pale as his sentence was read out but winked at his family as he was led to the cells. Collins has three-monthold baby Sunday with Towie star Ferne McCann, 27, who has told him in jail that he will never see her or his daughter again. He was celebrating her pregnancy at the Mangle E8 club in Hackney, East London when he threw acid across a packed dancefloor. Three of his victims bravely told the court yesterday how he had ruined their lives. Lauren Trent from Bournemouth, who was celebrating her 22nd birthday at the club, told him: “My parents got a call at 1.45am. Imagine that was your daughter on her 22nd birthday and you’re stuck two hours away knowing there was nothing you could do but listen as she’s screaming that her skin’s coming off in her hands.”
Pal Sophie Hall, also 22, said she felt her blistered face and “knew I’d be scarred for life”. Phoebe Georgiou, 23, of Fulham, South West London – left with horrific burns to her face, chest and arms – said: “You couldn’t find a shred of human decency to admit what you have done.”
Judge Noel Lucas slammed the “despicable, cowardly” attack, telling Collins: “You have demonstrated not the slightest remorse.”
He sentenced Collins to 25 years – 20 behind bars, of which he must serve around 14 before applying for parole, with the rest on licence.
Collins had pleaded not guilty but was convicted of GBH and ABH last month. In 90 minutes of mitigation, the court heard “sorry” just once, which the judge dismissed as “meaningless” as Collins showed no remorse for what he called “a silly little mistake”.
His previous convictions for public order, drink-driving and a club punch were read out at Wood Green crown court in North London. Collins of Broxbourne, Herts had also got a caution for racially aggravated harassment after threatening an ex’s mum.