Acid attack ex-girlfriend not guilty of murder

Berlinah Wallace has been cleared of murder following an acid attack which left her former partner with such horrific injuries he ended his own life at a euthanasia clinic.

The 48-year-old fashion student was accused of killing her ex-boyfriend Mark van Dongen after she hurled sulphuric acid over him while he lay in bed at her Westbury Park home in September 2015.

Mark van Dongen worked as an engineer in the construction industry – photo courtesy of Avon & Somerset Police

Following a lengthy trial and three days of deliberation, a jury at Bristol Crown Court found Wallace not guilty of murder or manslaughter on Thursday.

But she has been found guilty of deliberately throwing a corrosive substance with intent.

Wallace, of Ladysmith Road, denied both charges of murder and throwing a corrosive substance.

Speaking after the conclusion of the trial, senior investigating officer, detective inspector Paul Catton called Wallace a “callous and manipulative individual”, describing the case as the “most harrowing he has been involved in”.

Bedding at Wallace’s home in the aftermath of the acid attack – photo courtesy of Avon & Somerset Police

The glass from which Wallace threw sulphuric acid over van Dongen – photo courtesy of Avon & Somerset Police

Wallace returned to her flat in the early hours of the morning on September 23 where she hurled the acid over electrician van Dongen’s face and body, saying: “If I can’t have you, no one can.”

The defence claimed she thought the liquid was water and had been handed to her by her former partner, who intended for her to drink it.

After being attacked, van Dongen ran into the street, screaming for help and neighbours called the emergency services.

The 29-year-old electrician was left paralysed from the neck down, had his lower leg amputated and lost the sight in his left eye, as well as most of the sight in his right eye.

He went on to end his own life in Belgium in January 2017 due to his “unbearable physical and psychological suffering”.

Computer records that showed Wallace had searched online for news stories on acid attack victims and whether someone could die from drinking sulphuric acid.

Prosecutor Adam Vaitilingam QC told the court that Wallace had become “jealous and vindictive” when her relationship with van Dongen ended. He had been living with his new partner, but returned to Wallace’s flat on September 22.

In a statement, DI Catton said: “Mark van Dongen suffered the most inconceivable pain imaginable following what was a cowardly attack borne out of jealousy.

“He went from being a healthy young man with his whole life ahead of him, to having extensive and repeated surgery on the most hideous injuries just to keep him alive.

“While the jury has concluded Wallace’s actions did not amount to murder, we felt it was the right thing to do to ask them to consider the charge based on the evidence.

“Wallace is undoubtedly a manipulative individual, who abused Mark throughout their relationship.

“She repeatedly threatened him when they were together and even assaulted herself – claiming she would report that her injuries were caused by his hand.

“In my view, it takes an unbelievably callous person to show absolutely no empathy or remorse for the level of suffering she caused.”

He added: “Acid attacks can have a devastating effect on people’s lives. Many victims are severely disfigured, experience depression and are effectively condemned to a life sentence of trauma.

“This case, however, is evidence of the most serious consequences.

“This investigation has been one of the most harrowing I have been involved in in all my years as a detective and it’s impossible to imagine the impact it has had on Mark’s family and friends.

“We have supported his family throughout what has been a horrendous ordeal for them and the thoughts of every officer involved in the investigation continue to be with them.

“I hope now, following the conclusion of the trial, they have some sense of closure.”

Wallace will be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court next week.