Man charged over nightclub acid attack

A 21-year-old man has been charged over a nightclub acid attack which left two revellers partially blinded and others disfigured.

Andre Phoenix was charged with seven counts of grievous bodily harm on Saturday, the Metropolitan Police said.

Detectives are continuing to hunt Arthur Collins, the boyfriend of reality television star Ferne McCann, after the corrosive liquid was sprayed during a dispute at Mangle in Dalston, east London.

Ms McCann, best known to viewers for her appearances on The Only Way Is Essex, has urged her 25-year-old partner, who is from Hertfordshire, to turn himself in to police.

Around 20 clubbers suffered burns after being doused with the substance on Easter Monday, including a 22-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man who were both blinded in one eye.

Detective Inspector Lee McCullough of Hackney CID said: "This investigation continues to move at great pace and the net is closing in on those we believe to be responsible.

"My team continues to act on a number of leads to bring in those wanted for questioning in relation to this awful incident.

"I am continuing to appeal to Arthur Collins to hand himself in so that we can talk to him about the incident in the nightclub. I would also urge anyone who knows of his whereabouts to contact police.

"Equally, anyone found harbouring those wanted for questioning by police can expect a knock at the door and could well find themselves under arrest.

"We have 20 people suffering from the effects of an acidic substance being sprayed in a confined space in a busy nightclub. All have burn-related injuries. This incident has caused suffering to a large group of people and left many others needing long term treatment.

"The noxious substance used has not yet been confirmed but samples retrieved from the scene have been sent for analysis. If you were there and saw anyone involved inside or leaving the nightclub, please get in touch."

The man blinded in one eye and another victim, a 29-year-old man, were transferred to a specialist burns hospital in Essex, and have since been discharged, police said.

Police believe trouble brewed between two groups at the packed club and the acidic substance was flung directly over the pair.

A 24-year-old old man arrested in north London over the attack on Friday has since been released, police said.

Phoenix will appear at Thames Magistrates' Court on Monday.