Timeline: How acid attack case unfolded
Berlinah Wallace will serve a minimum of 12 years in prison for the attack on Mark van Dongen.
Berlinah Wallace has been jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 12 years in prison for pouring acid over the face of her former partner, Mark van Dongen.
Here is how the case unfolded:.
2010: Mark van Dongen and Wallace meet online.
2011:
January: Mr van Dongen comes to visit Wallace in Bristol, later moving in with her.
October 10: Wallace pours boiling water over him.
July: Mr van Dongen meets Violet Farquharson online.
August 15: He meets Ms Farquharson for coffee. Four days later they go to the cinema.
August 20: Mr van Dongen tells her that Wallace has attacked him.
August 21: He calls 999 reporting that Wallace has taken an overdose.
August 23: Wallace threatens Mr van Dongen in text messages.
August 27: She tells a counsellor she feels “depressed, angry, betrayed and anxious”.
August 28: Wallace begins making silent phone calls to Ms Farquharson.
9.54am: Wallace makes her final of 14 silent calls to Ms Farquharson.
3.02pm: She emails Mr van Dongen saying her ex-husband has had a heart attack.
September 2:
5.32pm: Wallace purchases a litre of 98% sulphuric acid on Amazon.
8.12pm: Mr van Dongen calls 999 to report that Wallace is harassing him
September 3:
7.09pm: Police inform Wallace of Mr van Dongen’s 999 call.
7.35pm: She calls a mental health crisis team reporting that she has taken an overdose.
8.45pm: An ambulance takes her to hospital and she is discharged the following day.
September 13:
10.47pm: Wallace searches “how to talk to an ex-boyfriend about getting back together” and “what to talk about with an ex-boyfriend” on Google.
September 14:
7.31am: Wallace searches “can I die from drink sulphuric acid”.
7.41am: She visits a website reporting an alleged acid attack court case.
8.07am: Wallace views a website showing post-mortem images of a man who has drunk sulphuric acid.
10pm: Mr van Dongen arrives back at Wallace’s flat.
September 23:
12.28am: Wallace emails her counsellor saying she will not continue her university course.
2.06am: She calls ex-boyfriend Charles Ososami.
2.50am: Wallace throws acid over Mr van Dongen.
2.57am: Neighbours call 999 after finding Mr van Dongen in the street.
3.05am: Wallace calls Mr Ososami. Emergency services arrive at the scene.
3.16am: Mr van Dongen arrives at Southmead Hospital.
3.17am: Wallace calls Mr Ososami but is arrested by police a short time later.
3.41am: She is remanded in custody at Patchway police station and interviewed at 6.53pm.
11.49pm: Wallace is charged with throwing a corrosive substance with intent.
July 6: Mr van Dongen is interviewed by police.
July 12: Ms Farquharson speaks to him about the attack.
July 28: He is interviewed by police again.
November 22: Mr van Dongen is moved to a care home.
November 26: He is transferred to the Maria Hospital in Overpelt, Belgium.
December 1: Mr van Dongen applies for euthanasia.
January 2: Mr van Dongen dies by euthanasia.
February 3: Wallace is charged with murder at Bristol Crown Court.
November 8: Wallace goes on trial at the court.
November 15: Her legal team makes an application of no case to answer on the murder charge.
November 20: Mrs Justice May dismisses the murder charge and the prosecution appeal the decision at the Court of Appeal.
November 29: The jury from the first murder trial is dismissed.
2018:
March 29: Court of Appeal judges rule the murder charge should remain.
April 23: A jury is sworn in at Bristol Crown Court.
May 17: Wallace is acquitted of murder but convicted of throwing a corrosive substance with intent.
May 23: Wallace is jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum term of 12 years.
