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Acid attack victim Adele Bellis 'felt face melting' Acid attack victim Adele Bellis 'felt face melting'
(about 1 hour later)
A beautician has told how she felt her face "melting" during an acid attack arranged by her "evil" ex-boyfriend.A beautician has told how she felt her face "melting" during an acid attack arranged by her "evil" ex-boyfriend.
Anthony Riley, 26, of Raglan Road, Lowestoft, has been jailed for life for planning the attack on Adele Bellis as she waited for a bus in August 2014.Anthony Riley, 26, of Raglan Road, Lowestoft, has been jailed for life for planning the attack on Adele Bellis as she waited for a bus in August 2014.
Ms Bellis, 23, who lost an ear, said: "He wanted to mess my face up so no-one would have me."Ms Bellis, 23, who lost an ear, said: "He wanted to mess my face up so no-one would have me."
Three other men involved in the conspiracy are also being sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court.Three other men involved in the conspiracy are also being sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court.
Judge John Devaux told Riley "you have shown no sign of remorse" and said he should serve at least 13 years in jail before being considered for release.Judge John Devaux told Riley "you have shown no sign of remorse" and said he should serve at least 13 years in jail before being considered for release.
Leon Thompson, who carried out a separate knife attack on Ms Bellis on Riley's orders in April last year, has been jailed for 15 years.Leon Thompson, who carried out a separate knife attack on Ms Bellis on Riley's orders in April last year, has been jailed for 15 years.
He stood trial with Riley and they were also both found guilty of conspiracy to carry out the attacks.He stood trial with Riley and they were also both found guilty of conspiracy to carry out the attacks.
'Black balaclava''Black balaclava'
The attack using sulphuric acid, carried out by Jason Harrison, happened while Ms Bellis was on London Road South in Lowestoft on 14 August 2014.The attack using sulphuric acid, carried out by Jason Harrison, happened while Ms Bellis was on London Road South in Lowestoft on 14 August 2014.
The court heard Harrison was paid £500 by Riley. Harrison, who was paid £500 by Riley, admitted his guilt and he has been jailed for four years.
"I was on the phone and saw this man in a black tracksuit and black balaclava," said Ms Bellis."I was on the phone and saw this man in a black tracksuit and black balaclava," said Ms Bellis.
"Something told me to move my face and as I did that the liquid got chucked over me."Something told me to move my face and as I did that the liquid got chucked over me.
"At first I thought it was water, but then I could feel burning and I was just running around screaming for water. My face was melting and I knew I'd lost my ear.""At first I thought it was water, but then I could feel burning and I was just running around screaming for water. My face was melting and I knew I'd lost my ear."
Convictions in Adele Bellis caseConvictions in Adele Bellis case
Ms Bellis has since undergone surgery and continues to have treatment but has been left scarred for life.Ms Bellis has since undergone surgery and continues to have treatment but has been left scarred for life.
She said she started seeing Riley when she was 16 and the relationship was "good" in the early days, but changed.She said she started seeing Riley when she was 16 and the relationship was "good" in the early days, but changed.
"His controlling got worse. He banned me from seeing my best friend and got more evil and started hitting me, threatening my mum and dad, threatening me," she said."His controlling got worse. He banned me from seeing my best friend and got more evil and started hitting me, threatening my mum and dad, threatening me," she said.
"There were a few times he punched me and told me not to tell the police or he'd kill me and that's why I kept quiet.""There were a few times he punched me and told me not to tell the police or he'd kill me and that's why I kept quiet."
'Years to recover''Years to recover'
In April 2014, Riley arranged for Thompson to stab Ms Bellis, which left her with scars on her face.In April 2014, Riley arranged for Thompson to stab Ms Bellis, which left her with scars on her face.
She did not report the attack to police at the time.She did not report the attack to police at the time.
"He was my first proper boyfriend and I knew it was wrong, but I was like, 'is it meant to be like this? I just don't know'," she said"He was my first proper boyfriend and I knew it was wrong, but I was like, 'is it meant to be like this? I just don't know'," she said
"Loads of people told me to leave him, but he threatened me and I knew he was capable of those threats.""Loads of people told me to leave him, but he threatened me and I knew he was capable of those threats."
Jaf Shah, of the Acid Survivors Trust International charity, said victims of attacks tend to have very low esteem and confidence and it takes them years to recover.Jaf Shah, of the Acid Survivors Trust International charity, said victims of attacks tend to have very low esteem and confidence and it takes them years to recover.
"The attacks on women are very much about destroying or eradicating an identity so that survivors find it very difficult to make public appearances because they're ashamed of their appearance," he said."The attacks on women are very much about destroying or eradicating an identity so that survivors find it very difficult to make public appearances because they're ashamed of their appearance," he said.
"For many men, it's clear they think they own the victim/survivor and they go to these severe measures to prevent other men or prospective partners being attracted to the survivor.""For many men, it's clear they think they own the victim/survivor and they go to these severe measures to prevent other men or prospective partners being attracted to the survivor."
'So-called hard man''So-called hard man'
But Ms Bellis said she just wanted to "get on with my life".But Ms Bellis said she just wanted to "get on with my life".
"I just refuse to cry. It's so bad what's happened to me, but it could have been a thousand times worse and with all the treatment, I've accepted what's happened and I want to move on," she said."I just refuse to cry. It's so bad what's happened to me, but it could have been a thousand times worse and with all the treatment, I've accepted what's happened and I want to move on," she said.
"It's been tiring and draining, but I've got the result I wanted and I feel relieved."It's been tiring and draining, but I've got the result I wanted and I feel relieved.
"I'm feeling positive and I just want to be a normal person.""I'm feeling positive and I just want to be a normal person."
Det Con Matt Rogers said: "Adele Bellis's life was profoundly changed on 14 August last year.Det Con Matt Rogers said: "Adele Bellis's life was profoundly changed on 14 August last year.
"Anthony Riley has proven himself to be a manipulative, evil and possessive individual who sought to coerce and intimidate a number of people around him in order for these offences to have been committed against Adele, relying on his so-called hard man image to cowardly distance himself from the acts themselves."Anthony Riley has proven himself to be a manipulative, evil and possessive individual who sought to coerce and intimidate a number of people around him in order for these offences to have been committed against Adele, relying on his so-called hard man image to cowardly distance himself from the acts themselves.
"I am grateful to all the members of the public who eventually came forward to cooperate with the investigation.""I am grateful to all the members of the public who eventually came forward to cooperate with the investigation."