Arthur Collins acid attack victims tell of horrific life-changing injuries as they confront Ferne McCann's ex-boyfriend in court

'You don't know what it feels like to have acid thrown at you. To feel your skin dissolving, melting, blistering'
Arthur Collins was sentenced to 20 years in jail on Tuesday
Metropolitan Police
Ella Wills20 December 2017
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Jailed acid attacker Arthur Collins was confronted by his victims in court as they told of their horrific injuries.

Fourteen people were scarred for life when acid was thrown over the floor, and two more suffered chemical burn injuries.

Three victims were temporarily blinded - one of whom still suffers from blurred vision in one eye.

They told moving accounts of how the incident scarred them for life, as one described lying in a hospital bed terrified of rupturing her scars.

Lauren Trent: The 22-year-old suffered first degree burns to her legs, feet, chest and neck 
PA

Collins' denials forced those who suffered at his hands to relive the experience as they were called to give evidence at his Wood Green Crown Court trial.

Kwami Licorish told jurors: "I was on the dance floor with a few friends and I remember feeling a splash to my face, my eyes were burning, my face was burning.

"There was a very strong smell, an overpowering smell. It stopped my breathing."

Daniel Mills, who was waiting at the bar to get a drink, was sprayed in the face after turning his head.

Arthur Collins, left, is the ex-boyfriend of reality TV personality Ferne McCann
Instagram

He said: "I sort of heard something out of character that made me turn, I think it was people shouting.

"As I turned around, the substance hit me in the face. It started stinging and burning."

Jay Lanning said he saw Collins raise his arm as if to throw a punch before "white smoke" filled the air.

"At first I felt a liquid I thought was ice-cold water. It was a sharp sensation to both of my arms and then I felt it on my face as well," he said.

"Maybe 30 seconds later I realised it was more of a burning sensation."

Acid attack: Phoebe Georgiou, pictured, was a victim of the Mangle E8 nightclub attack
PA

Describing injuries to her arm, Megan Usher said: "It was kind of bubbly. Red, very red."

Nadia Pascal described painful "white streaks" running down the back of her exposed legs after the acid was hurled.

Three of Collins' victims took to the witness stand to read their victim impact statements when Collins returned to court to be sentenced.

Arthur Collins on CCTV at the night out 
Met Police

Phoebe Georgiou, 23, described lying in a hospital bed for weeks after the attack without being able to move for fear of rupturing her scars.

"You couldn't find a shred of human decency to admit what you have done. I have been given a life sentence by you," she said.

Lauren Trent said: "You don't know what it feels like to have acid thrown at you. To feel your skin dissolving, melting, blistering and you can't do anything to stop it."

She added: "Imagine that was your own daughter on her 22nd birthday and you are stuck two hours away in your home town knowing there was nothing you could do but listen as she's screaming that her skin's coming off in her hands."

Sophie Hall, 22, said: "I fell off the back of my chair backwards from the pain from my face."

She continued: "I was in terrible pain. I couldn't see properly. I was crying. I was sat on the floor for what felt like an eternity.

"I am scarred for the rest of my life and I'm only 22 years of age and I was just having fun with my friends and my whole world has been turned upside down."

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