What happened in the East London nightclub acid attack in 2017?
HUNDREDS of partygoers were inside a London nightclub when acid was flung across the venue in 2017.
Arthur Collins, the former boyfriend of reality TV star Ferne McCann, was found guilty of carrying out the vicious attack and jailed for 20 years.
What happened in the East London nightclub acid attack?
In April 2017 revellers were celebrating the Easter bank holiday weekend at Mangle nightclub in East London when acid was thrown across the dance floor.
The venue had been hosting Love Juice, a nine-hour house music night.
Clubbers screamed in horror and rushed to escape, forcing a mass evacuation of 600 partygoers flooding into the street.
Roads were closed as emergency services, including a hazardous area response team, rushed to the scene. At least 14 people were injured.
How was Arthur Collins involved?
Arthur Collins, who was the boyfriend of reality TV star Ferne McCann, was found guilty on November 13, 2017, of carrying out the acid attack.
He was convicted at Wood Green Crown Court in North London on five counts of grievous bodily harm and nine counts of actual bodily harm.
Collins was nabbed at a house in Higham Ferrers, Northants, where he jumped from a first-floor window as police moved in, breaking bones in both his feet.
Andre Phoenix, of Tottenham, North London, had appeared in court alongside Collins but was cleared.
CCTV footage played in court showed Collins throwing a substance into the face of another man before scattering it over others.
He had claimed he thought the acid was a date rape drug that was going to be used to spike a woman’s drink, and he threw it away to foil the plan.
And he told the jury he went on the run as he feared a gang would target pregnant Ferne.
But Judge Noel Lucas, QC, told Collins’ barrister George Carter-Stephenson, QC: “These are very serious matters your client has been convicted of.
“There’s no sentence to be passed except for a very significant one.”
Collins was sentenced to 20 years for the attack on December 19, 2017.
Jailing Collins, with an additional five years on licence, Judge Noel Lucas QC said he was “an accomplished and calculating liar” who had failed to demonstrate “the slightest remorse”.
On October 3, 2018, he had an appeal against his sentence rejected by the Court of Appeal.
Who were the victims in the attack?
Among those treated was Australian model Isobella Fraser, who was visiting her sister Prue in London.
Her sister Prue was also injured on her arm.
Isobella revealed pictures of significant bandaging to her back and arm as she received treatment for burns.
Talking about the attack, Isobella said: “I thought we were getting gassed. I thought it was a terrorist attack or something. I was freaking out just because of all the things that have been happening.
“I actually couldn’t breathe and I was coughing. And then I just felt this thing on my arm and then I realised it was some sort of acid.”
Sophie Hall was also one of those badly injured in the attack but, speaking on Good Morning Britain in July 2018, she revealed that her confidence is back after competing in a pageant.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain, she said: “I wanted to be remembered as something different.
“I wanted to have a positive impact and perhaps inspire people, and not only build my confidence but help other victims out there – who may be going through a tough time – that you can still go on and achieve fantastic things.”
She said that people mustn’t assume that she is fine now as her injuries aren’t immediately visible anymore.
“It is mentally scarring as well as physically,” she said. “I don’t think some people realise, because they say ‘oh you look absolutely fine now’ but you’re not.