Arthur Collins acid attack sentence 'sends out a message'

Arthur Collins was found guilty of an acid attack which took place in April

Arthur Collins has been jailed for 20 years for throwing acid across a packed London nightclub and injuring 22 people.

Judge Noel Lucas QC described the crime as a "despicable act" and said the criminal was "intent on causing really serious harm".

"The sentence was considered by many to be surprisingly lengthy and to some, even excessive," says Robert Bimpson, a lawyer from Professional Defence Lawyers.

"Upon closer consideration it isn't."

He and Sarah King, a solicitor from Stuart Miller Solicitors, talk us through the factors that will have impacted on the judge's decision.

Warning: This article contains a graphic image of injuries inflicted in an acid attack.

The attack happened in Mangle nightclub in Dalston on 17 April

"The starting point for GBH is 12 years," explains Sarah. "But this is only a guideline."

Robert says that given the charge, the 25-year-old could have faced a life sentence.

"When deciding the length of the prison sentence to impose, the judge will consider a number of aggravating and mitigating factors.

"Firstly, in this case the offence was premeditated.

"The fact that somebody has planned, armed themselves and deliberately set out with the specific intention to cause planned and serious harm, significantly increases the prison sentence."

He says that the number of victims and extent of the injuries would have also played a part.

Phoebe's chest was badly burned

"These injuries were, in several cases, life-changing," explains Robert.

Sarah says they will also take into account if remorse was shown.

"The judge specifically commented that he showed none. If he had shown remorse it may have been reflected in the sentence."

Arthur Collins had six previous convictions including using threatening words, possession of cocaine, drink-driving and assault.

He was still subject to a suspended sentence when he carried out the attack.

But Robert doesn't think that his jail term would have been much shorter even if that wasn't the case.

"I think given the number of victims, the nature of the injuries and that this was an acid attack, even if Mr Collins has no previous convictions, the sentence would not have been very different."

Police figures in July showed that the number of assaults in England involving corrosive substances has doubled since 2012.

Sarah King thinks this could have affected the length of time he is going to serve.

"In my view they [the sentences] have to act as a deterrent in society.

"This has been one closely watched by the public and it is very much a message being sent out to people who carry acid.

"You cannot get away with this, this isn't something which will be tolerated in England."

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