Mark Van Dongen Acid Attack: A Tragic Story Of Violence & Justice
Can the depths of human cruelty truly be fathomed? The case of Mark van Dongen and Berlinah Wallace serves as a stark testament to the capacity for unimaginable violence and the enduring repercussions of such acts.
The early hours of September 23, 2015, were forever etched in the memory of Dr. Nic White. Seeing Mark van Dongen in the street, clad only in his underwear, she initially believed he was the victim of a prank, his face seemingly covered in mud. Little did she know the horrifying reality that lay beneath.
Mark van Dongen, a young man of 29, was the victim of a horrific acid attack orchestrated by his former partner, Berlinah Wallace. The attack, which occurred in Bristol, left him with devastating injuries, ultimately leading to his decision to end his life through euthanasia in Belgium in 2017, after his attacker was sentenced to life imprisonment by a British court. The story, a painful exploration of jealousy, violence, and suffering, is a tragic intersection of criminal justice and euthanasia.
The attack was not a spontaneous act of rage but a calculated act of pure evil, as described by Mrs. Justice Nicola Davies at Bristol Crown Court. Wallace, driven by jealousy, threw a glass of 98% proof sulphuric acid over van Dongen, a Dutch engineer, as he slept in her apartment. The corrosive substance engulfed his body, causing severe burns to his head, neck, and chest. His face and much of his body were grotesquely scarred, leaving him in excruciating pain.
In the aftermath, van Dongen was left paralyzed from the neck down, unrecognizable, and all but blinded. He lost his left leg, ear, and eye. The attack not only robbed him of his physical well-being but also his dignity and independence. In his weakened state, Mark told his former lover Berlinah Wallace, that the sight of his horrific injuries would stay on her conscience forever.
The impact of the attack extended far beyond Mark himself, devastating his family and friends. His father, Cornelius van Dongen, described his son as his best friend. The unwavering support and advocacy for justice from Mark's family have kept his memory alive and continue to inspire efforts to prevent similar cases. The family's ordeal highlights the profound and lasting trauma inflicted by such acts of violence.
In a twist of fate, the legal proceedings took a complex turn. While a jury found Berlinah Wallace guilty of throwing the corrosive substance with intent to do grievous harm, she was acquitted of murder charges. This verdict underscored the complexities inherent in cases involving euthanasia, where the victim's suffering and agency intersect with the legal framework.
The case of Mark van Dongen and Berlinah Wallace is a stark reminder of the dangers of domestic violence and the catastrophic effects of acid attacks. It highlights the need for awareness, prevention, and justice. It serves as a poignant testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable suffering.
Here's a summary of Mark van Dongen's biographical and professional details:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mark van Dongen |
| Age at the Time of Attack | 29 years old |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Profession | Engineer |
| Injuries Sustained | Paralyzed from the neck down, loss of left leg, ear, and eye, severe burns. |
| Cause of Death | Euthanasia |
| Date of Attack | September 23, 2015 |
| Location of Attack | Bristol, UK |
| Perpetrator | Berlinah Wallace |
| Legal Outcome | Wallace found guilty of throwing corrosive substance with intent to do grievous harm, sentenced to life imprisonment. |
| Reference | BBC News - Acid attacker jailed for life after 'act of pure evil' |
Berlinah Wallace's actions were premeditated. She had purchased the sulphuric acid online. She chose a time when Mark was asleep, making him defenseless. Her chilling words, "If I can't have you, no one else can," revealed the depth of her possessiveness and the depravity of her intentions. The attack was not a momentary lapse of judgment; it was a calculated act of violence fueled by a warped sense of ownership and control.
The investigation that followed the attack revealed the lies Wallace told to the police, attempting to shift the blame onto Mark. The court heard how she sought to portray herself as the victim. Having carried out this horrific attack she then told lie after lie.
In court, the prosecution argued that Wallace intended to kill Mark, but the jury found her guilty of a lesser charge, throwing a corrosive substance with intent to do grievous bodily harm. This verdict, while acknowledging her guilt, didn't fully capture the magnitude of her actions and the ultimate outcome.
The legal battles that unfolded were as complex as the emotions they stirred. Wallace's defense attempted to paint her as a victim of circumstance. However, the evidence presented in court painted a different picture, one of deliberate cruelty and a callous disregard for human life. The court heard that Mark van Dongen told his former lover berlinah wallace, 48, that the sight of his horrific injuries would stay on her conscience forever.
In the end, the only peace Mark found was in euthanasia, a decision reached after his suffering became unbearable. This choice, carried out in Belgium, highlighted the limitations of the British legal system in addressing his needs and the desperate lengths he was willing to go to escape his pain. He ended his life by euthanasia in 2017, and wallace was convicted of throwing a corrosive substance with intent.
The case is not only a tragedy but also a lesson, a reminder of the pervasive nature of domestic violence and the devastating impact of acid attacks. The actions of Berlinah Wallace served as an act of pure evil. It demands a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to such violence and a renewed commitment to preventing such horrors from happening again. This is a call for justice for Mark van Dongen and a plea for society to recognize the profound impact of violence. Mark van Dongen's face and much of his body was grotesquely scarred, and he was left at the limits of tolerable pain after the attack allegedly carried out by his former partner, a jury was told.
