Irwin Mitchell Continuing To Support Some Of Those Hurt In ‘Horrific’ Crime

Expert lawyers representing victims of an acid attack in London have welcomed the 20 year jail sentence handed down to Arthur Collins, who injured 22 people in the ‘horrific’ nightclub incident.

Collins received the jail term as well as an extra five years on licence following the incident which happened at the Mangle E8 club in East London on Easter Monday 2017.

Sentencing the 25-year-old at Wood Green Crown Court, Judge Noel Lucas QC described  it as a “despicable attack.”

Irwin Mitchell, which is investigating the incident on behalf of victims of the attack, has welcomed the jail term handed out to Collins, the ex-boyfriend of reality TV star Ferne McCann.

Sallie Booth is a specialist group actions lawyer at Irwin Mitchell in London.

Expert Opinion

Occurrences of acid attacks was a worrying new trend. The number of such crimes in London alone has nearly doubled since 2015 to as many 450 last year.

“Several months may have passed since the incident but the implications of what happened on that night will live on for many of the victims, not just through physical injuries but also mentally as well.

“While nothing can turn the clock back we welcome the sentences handed down by the judge and hope it acts as a warning to those who think it is acceptable to carry out such horrific attacks.

“Collins has never revealed his motive behind the attack or shown any remorse for his actions. We are continuing work to establish exactly how the acid got into the club. It is deeply worrying that a corrosive substance passed security checks.

“We have written to the owners of Mangle E8 and await their response.” Sallie Booth - Partner

Collins, of Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, admitted hurling liquid over revellers but claimed he thought it was a date rape drug.

He was jailed yesterday after last month being found guilty of five counts of grievous bodily harm with intent and nine counts of actual bodily harm. 

Sixteen of the people suffered serious burns during the attack. A man and a woman were also both blinded in one eye.

Irwin Mitchell is investigating on behalf of some of the victims whether more could have been done by Mangle E8 to prevent the crime.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in handling group actions.