FERNE EX GETS YEARS FOR ACID ATTACK
FERNE McCann’s former boyfriend has been jailed for 20 years after an acid attack in a nightclub.
Arthur Collins, 25, hurled the corrosive liquid over innocent partygoers at the Mangle E8 nightclub in east London.
At least 22 clubbers were hurt – including 14 left with life-changing burns. Collins, the father of reality star Ferne’s baby daughter Sunday, was sentenced yesterday at Wood Green Crown Court.
He had claimed he thought the acid was a date rape drug, which he had snatched from two men after overhearing them planning to spike a girl’s drink.
But Judge Noel Lucas branded him “an accomplished and calculating liar” who had not “demonstrated the slightest remorse”.
Jailing him for 20 years, with an extra five years on extended licence, the judge told Collins: “This was a despicable act. You knew precisely what strong acid would do to human skin. Having thrown the acid over the club you slunk away and hid in the rear and pretended to be nothing to do with the mayhem you had caused.”
Collins was convicted last month of five counts of grievous bodily harm with intent, and nine of actual bodily harm. The judge ordered that he was a danger to the public and must serve two thirds of the custodial part of his sentence.
Collins, of Broxbourne, Herts, winked at his family as he was led to the cells. There were cries of “love you Arthur” as he was taken away.
Three of his victims, Phoebe Georgiou, 23, Lauren Trent, 22, and Sophie Hall, also 22, had given the court moving accounts of how the incident on April 17 had changed their lives.
Through tears they said they were now “living in fear” and “suicidal”.
Lauren, who had been celebrating her birthday, told him: “Just because my scars appear small to you or remain hidden, they are huge to me.”
Just hours before the attack, Collins had been at a barbecue with his ex-Towie star girlfriend Ferne to announce her pregnancy. The court heard he once threatened to attack the mum of another ex-girlfriend with acid and have her raped.