A cage fighter accused of assisting the ex-boyfriend of TOWIE star Ferne McCann in an acid attack at a London nightclub has been acquitted of all charges. Andre Phoenix, 21, was cleared at Wood Green Crown Court on Monday of four counts of grievous bodily harm and two of actual bodily harm.
The incident occurred on April 17 at Mangle E8 in Dalston, east London, where Arthur Collins, the father of McCann's child, allegedly sprayed acid over a crowd. CCTV footage appeared to show Phoenix holding Collins' arms as the liquid was thrown, injuring 14 people.
Phoenix, from Tottenham, north London, testified that he had no knowledge of the acid and was only trying to separate Collins from another man during a dispute. He told the jury, 'I don't roll with acid,' and stated he would simply 'knock them out' if angered. He also sustained burns and sought treatment at Whittington Hospital the following day.
The semi-professional cage fighter wept in the dock as the verdict was read, turning to his mother who attended the trial. Originally from Montserrat, Phoenix moved to the UK as a child and met Collins through his younger brother at a mixed martial arts club.
Jurors are still deliberating charges against Collins, 25, of Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, who faces five counts of grievous bodily harm with intent and nine of actual bodily harm.
