Nightclub acid attacker Arthur Collins admits hiding a phone inside a crutch in prison

Arthur Collins
Metropolitan Police
Ella Wills27 December 2017
WEST END FINAL

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The acid attacker ex-boyfriend of reality TV-star Ferne McCann has pleaded guilty to hiding a mobile phone inside a crutch he was using while in prison.

Arthur Collins, 25, who is serving 20 years for a London nightclub acid attack, secreted the phone, two sim cards and two USB sticks inside the medical aid while held on pre-trial remand at HMP Thameside in September.

He was being held there ahead of his trial over the acid attack in April.

He admitted one charge of possession of a prohibited item while in prison when he appeared via video link at Bromley Magistrates' Court in London on Wednesday.

Ferne McCann pictured with Arthur Collins, who was jailed for 20 years for the London nightclub acid attack
Snapchat

The court heard he wanted to use the phone to make private calls to Ms McCann.

She was pregnant with their child at the time the mobile was discovered in a search of his cell.

Collins appeared from the maximum security HMP Belmarsh in south east London, where he is serving his sentence.

Arthur Collins on CCTV at the night out 
Met Police

The banned items were found when a prison officer removed the rubber stopper from the bottom of the crutch in his private shower during a cell search, the court heard.

Collins had been using the aid after hurting his feet trying to evade police while on the run for the acid attack in Dalston, east London.

The court heard evidence was later found on the phone of calls and messages to family and friends.

Collins' lawyer, Audrey Mogan, said he obtained the phone so he could make private calls to Miss McCann.

She added that his acid attack trial and subsequent imprisonment had been a "difficult and trying time for him".

District judge Robert Hunter committed Collins' case to Woolwich Crown Court for sentencing on a date to be fixed.

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