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Arthur Collins trial: Acid 'thrown inside packed club' | Arthur Collins trial: Acid 'thrown inside packed club' |
(1 day later) | |
A man threw acid inside a packed London nightclub injuring 16 people after "trouble" broke out, a court has heard. | A man threw acid inside a packed London nightclub injuring 16 people after "trouble" broke out, a court has heard. |
Arthur Collins, ex-boyfriend of reality TV star Ferne McCann, is accused of throwing the substance in the Wringer and Mangle in Dalston, on 17 April. | Arthur Collins, ex-boyfriend of reality TV star Ferne McCann, is accused of throwing the substance in the Wringer and Mangle in Dalston, on 17 April. |
Prosecutors told Wood Green Crown Court it happened after a group of men started pushing and shoving. | Prosecutors told Wood Green Crown Court it happened after a group of men started pushing and shoving. |
Mr Collins, 25, and co-defendant Andre Phoenix, 21, both deny the charges against them. | Mr Collins, 25, and co-defendant Andre Phoenix, 21, both deny the charges against them. |
They are accused of five counts of grievous bodily harm with intent, and 11 counts of actual bodily harm. | |
Jurors heard 16 people who were on the crowded dancefloor were injured when Mr Collins, of Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, threw the substance at another man. | Jurors heard 16 people who were on the crowded dancefloor were injured when Mr Collins, of Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, threw the substance at another man. |
Prosecutor Luke Ponte said it was not clear what started the confrontation. | Prosecutor Luke Ponte said it was not clear what started the confrontation. |
But he said Mr Collins "does not dispute that he threw the acid" and "he was assisted" by Mr Phoenix, of Tottenham. | But he said Mr Collins "does not dispute that he threw the acid" and "he was assisted" by Mr Phoenix, of Tottenham. |
CCTV footage played in court showed Mr Collins throwing the substance "into the face of another young man". | CCTV footage played in court showed Mr Collins throwing the substance "into the face of another young man". |
"As that man went down in pain, the aggressor threw acid a second time directed towards another man, and then threw acid a third time," Mr Ponte said. | "As that man went down in pain, the aggressor threw acid a second time directed towards another man, and then threw acid a third time," Mr Ponte said. |
He added it was "not surprising" Mr Collins did not dispute his involvement as it was filmed "clearly on the club's CCTV". | He added it was "not surprising" Mr Collins did not dispute his involvement as it was filmed "clearly on the club's CCTV". |
Among those injured was Mr Phoenix who was splashed with the unidentified substance that was later found to have a pH level of 1, the court heard. | Among those injured was Mr Phoenix who was splashed with the unidentified substance that was later found to have a pH level of 1, the court heard. |
The pair were later identified from the CCTV footage and Mr Phoenix was arrested on 21 April, the jury was told. | The pair were later identified from the CCTV footage and Mr Phoenix was arrested on 21 April, the jury was told. |
However, Mr Collins initially "could not be found", Mr Ponte said. | However, Mr Collins initially "could not be found", Mr Ponte said. |
He was located a few days later at a property in Northamptonshire, the court heard, where he jumped out of the first floor window in his T-shirt and underwear to escape arrest and was Tasered by police. | He was located a few days later at a property in Northamptonshire, the court heard, where he jumped out of the first floor window in his T-shirt and underwear to escape arrest and was Tasered by police. |
The court was told Mr Collins allegedly heard Makai Brown - one of the people injured in the attack - talking about spiking a girl's drink in the club. | The court was told Mr Collins allegedly heard Makai Brown - one of the people injured in the attack - talking about spiking a girl's drink in the club. |
When asked by George Carter-Stephenson QC, defending Mr Collins, if such a conversation about spiking a drink occurred, Mr Brown said no. | When asked by George Carter-Stephenson QC, defending Mr Collins, if such a conversation about spiking a drink occurred, Mr Brown said no. |
Mr Carter-Stephenson told the jury it was Mr Collins' case he then insulted Mr Brown and told him "you are not spiking anyone". | Mr Carter-Stephenson told the jury it was Mr Collins' case he then insulted Mr Brown and told him "you are not spiking anyone". |
He then asked Mr Brown if his client had taken a bottle from him "which he thought contained something to spike drinks." | He then asked Mr Brown if his client had taken a bottle from him "which he thought contained something to spike drinks." |
But Mr Brown denied having a bottle, explaining he does not drink alcohol and had been searched on entry to the venue. | But Mr Brown denied having a bottle, explaining he does not drink alcohol and had been searched on entry to the venue. |
He also denied that any altercation or aggression had taken place with Mr Collins and Mr Phoenix. | He also denied that any altercation or aggression had taken place with Mr Collins and Mr Phoenix. |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |