News / Acid Attack Trial
‘Evil’ acid attacker jailed for life
Berlinah Wallace has been jailed for life following an acid attack which left her former partner with such horrific injuries that he ended his own life at a Belgian euthanasia clinic.
The 48-year-old fashion student from Westbury Park was convicted after a three-week trial at Bristol Crown Court and was given the maximum sentence on Wednesday.
Wallace hurled the sulphuric acid over her ex-boyfriend, Mark van Dongen, in a fit of jealous rage while he lay in bed at her home in September 2015.
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A jury found her not guilty of murder, but guilty of deliberately throwing a corrosive substance.
Mark van Dongen
Speaking after the trial, the victim’s father, Kees van Dongen said: “The fact that Mark, a 29-year old man and recent graduate, decided to commit euthanasia, says something about the condition he was in and the amount of pain that he had been suffering.
“He said ‘Dad, I am tired of fighting. I have suffered so much pain, I cannot take any more, please let me go’.”
Paying tribute to his son, Kees said: “Mark was taken from most of us in the most difficult of circumstances. He was my son and best friend, and also a loving brother for Bart and his family. We were very proud of his studies and the results he achieved as a civil engineer in the UK.
“He was so brave when confronted with the hellish pain and disabilities inflicted on him, but eventually it all became too much for him to bear.
“He died in dignity and will live on in the hearts of his family and friends.”
Mark 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 at a euthanasia clinic in Belgium in January 2017.
Describing Wallace as a “danger to society”, Kees added: “I feel like a broken man, completely drained, and the old Kees no longer exists.”
Senior investigating officer detective inspector Paul Catton said: “This was an extremely unusual and challenging case and one which affected a great number of people.
“The sentence, which I believe is the first life sentence handed to someone involved in an acid attack, reflects the gravity of the crime Wallace committed, her refusal to accept responsibility and the horrendous consequences her actions had.
“Nothing will ever fill the void left by Mark’s death but I hope this result will bring some comfort to his family and loved ones.”
Wallace will have to serve a minimum of 12 years – minus time she has spent on remand – before she can be considered for parole.
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