Woman jailed after blinding former friend
Northumbria PoliceA woman attacked with a corrosive substance says her life has been "changed forever" after being blinded in one eye and left with limited sight in the other.
She was targeted by Donna English, who squirted a substance thought to be ammonia from a bottle following a row over an alleged rent debt dating from the victim's time living in English's Sunderland home.
The woman, who is in her 20s, now relies on family, friends and carers for help with every day tasks and cannot leave home alone, Northumbria Police said.
At Newcastle Crown Court on Monday, English, 41, was jailed for 13 years after being convicted of grievous bodily harm after a trial that ended last month.
Police said the pair had been friends at the time they shared the house in Carley Road, Southwick, but English had asked the woman to leave following a disagreement.
English later contacted her claiming she owed money - an allegation the victim disputed - and attacked her when she visited the property on 20 November.
After a 999 call, police found English hiding in a nearby garden.
'Often feel hopeless'
In a personal statement, the victim said: "The assault... has changed my life forever.
"My right eye is now completely blind and my consultant has informed me that the loss is permanent.
"The assault and the injuries I have suffered have had a massive impact on my mental health.
"I often feel hopeless and that I have no future."
Det Con Catherine Jowett said the woman had been through a "horrendous ordeal" and praised her "immense bravery in having to speak at court as part of the trial and relive the vicious attack".
She also described English's actions as "reprehensible".
