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Arthur Collins' acid attack victim feels 'violated' after her social media posts were used by his defence lawyer

Phoebe Georgiou, one of the 14 people left with life-changing injuries following Arthur Collins’ nightclub acid attack on 17 April, has revealed that she feels “violated” after Collins’ lawyer used her social media posts in a bid to “prove” that she had recovered.

The 23 year old testified against Collins in court, describing how she was left hospitalised for weeks after the attack, unable to move through fear of rupturing the scars caused by the acid.

Arthur Collins was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the attack.
Arthur Collins was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the attack.

She told court at the time: “I mourn the old Phoebe, the confident young woman I was.

“My old life was taken from me, physically and mentally. I will never be the same again.

“It’s been eight months since the attack. I have been suffering anxiety and panic attacks.

“You couldn’t even find a thread of human decency to take responsibility for the damage you have caused. I’ve been given a life sentence because of you.”

Georgia suffered excessive burns to her body. Copyright: [PA]
Georgia suffered excessive burns to her body. Copyright: [PA]
Georgia spent weeks in hospital. Copyright: [PA]
Georgia spent weeks in hospital. Copyright: [PA]

However, later on in the trial, Collins’ lawyer, George Carter-Stephenson QC, presented the court with a series of Phoebe’s social media posts – showing her doing yoga and spending time with family in Greece – in a desperate bid to lessen Collins’ sentence.

He also showed photos of other victims wearing swimsuits or in nightclubs, telling the judge that the images proved that “to a certain extent they have returned to some normality”.

Speaking to The Sun, Phoebe has now hit back at the defence team’s move, revealing that she took up yoga in a bid to ease her anxiety and stretch the skin left taut by her burns.

She told the publication: “I felt quite violated when they brought up the yoga because that’s been the main thing getting me through this.

Arthur was dating TOWIE star Ferne McCann at the time of the attack. Copyright: [Instagram]
Arthur was dating TOWIE star Ferne McCann at the time of the attack. Copyright: [Instagram]

“I had to wait until my operation had settled before going abroad as I had to be constantly checked at the hospital every two days.

“I felt so violated that they brought that up. What you put out on social media is you trying to be that confident girl.”

Yesterday [19 December] Collins was sentenced to 20 years in prison after he was found guilty of five counts of grievous bodily harm with intent, and nine counts of actual bodily harm against 14 people earlier this month.

The judge slammed Collin’s lack of remorse, branding him a “despicable liar”.

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