Student jailed over ‘ evil’ acid attack

A fashion student has been jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 12 years in prison for throwing acid over her former partner, who later died by euthanasia, in what was described as “an act of pure evil”.

Berlinah Wallace, 48, poured sulphuric acid over the face of Mark van Dongen, 29, as he slept in her flat in Westbury Park, Bristol, at 3 am on 23 September, 2015. She laughed and said: “If I can’t have you, no- one can.” She then talked to an ex- boyfriend on the phone as Mr van Dongen fled.

The graduate was left in a co ma for four months, suffered extensive burns to his body, was left blind in one eye, paralysed from the neck down and had to have his lower left leg amputated.

He suffered 15 months of excruciating pain before dying by euthanasia in Belgium in January last year.

Wallace was acquitted of murder, but convicted of throwing a corrosive substance with intent following a trial at Bristol Crown Court.

She had bought a litre of 98 per cent concentrated sulphuric in September 2015 after Mr van Dongen left her for another woman.