The victim said the pain was ‘worse than childbirth’ as her so-called friend repeatedly sprayed a corrosive chemical directly into her eyes
Rob Kennedy and Olivia Bridge Reporter in Live News Network
19:05, 08 Jun 2026Updated 19:15, 08 Jun 2026
Newcastle Crown Court(Image: newcastle chronicle)
A woman has been jailed for her sickening attack on a mother which left her permanently blind in one eye and with significantly reduced vision in the other.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how Donna English, of Sunderland, had become friends with the victim, with the pair even living together at one point. However, the two women fell out over reasons that were not explained during the hearing.
On November 20, the feud turned violent as English, 41, agreed to meet the victim at the back of her house as they disputed over whether money was owed. Yet when the victim arrived, English sprayed her in the eyes with a corrosive chemical.
The court heard English even told the victim she intended to “get you in the eyes” with the substance, believed to be ammonia.
Her injuries are so severe, the victim says she is unable to look after herself and heartbreakingly, will never be able to see her children properly again. She has been left permanently blind in one eye and has vastly reduced and blurry vision in the other, reports Chronicle Live.
As English was jailed for 13 years for the attack, her victim told how she is struggling to cope with the devastating consequences of the attack and is unable to carry out simple tasks unaided.
Sentencing her, Judge Tom Moran said: “Once you knew she was coming, you armed yourself with this liquid, intending to do what you did. To that extent, there was an element of premeditation.
“Once she got there, you attacked her with the liquid, spraying it on her. Having attacked her at the rear of your address, spraying her with the liquid, some of which went on her face, you attacked her again, following her down the street, and this time it went up her back.
“Some distance away, on another street, having followed her there until she got to her door, you then sprayed it in her eyes. If there was any doubt about your intention, it became entirely clear what you intended as you said ‘I will get it in your f****** eyes’.
“She described the pain as worse than child birth.”
English then set about trying to cover her tracks, sending bogus and disingenuous messages to falsely suggest the victim had been the aggressor with the corrosive liquid.
The victim is completely blind in one eye and has been told that is permanent. She only has limited vision in her other eye and everything appears blurry. She is registered as being sight impaired and a doctor said the injuries are irreversible.
Judge Moran said: “The jury saw a harrowing video of her at the scene in great distress, speaking of the fear she would not be able to see her children again.”
In a victim impact statement, the woman said: “The assault has changed my life forever. It’s affected my daily life.
“I can’t go out alone because it’s too dangerous. I don’t have enough sight to do so safely.”
She said when she has tried to go out alone, she has fallen and she stresses about bumping into things. She relies on a carer for even the simplest of tasks, she is unable to use an over or hob because she can’t see the dials and she can’t make herself hot drinks because she can’t tell when the cup is full.
She also said she can’t read letters or newspapers and even struggles to watch TV. She added: “I will never be able to work or earn money for myself. I will always have to rely on the state and others to help me.”
The woman said the attack has had a huge effect on her mental health and she is self-conscious about people looking at her injuries.
She added: “I was kind to Donna and supported her. I have flashbacks of the attack. I wake up having a panic attack hearing Donna’s voice saying ‘I will get you in the f****** eyes'”
The woman said she has had “excruciating” surgery on her eyes. And she has been left unable to look after her children due to the severity of her issues. It is not even deemed safe for her to have unsupervised contact with them.
She said: “I will not be able to see them properly and that’s the thing that breaks my heart. She has destroyed my life and it’s had a lasting impact on my children and my family. The sadness I feel about that is beyond what words can express.”
English, of Carly Road, Sunderland, was found guilty after a trial of inflicting GBH with intent. The court heard she continues to deny the offence and has shown no remorse or empathy.
Shada Mellor, defending, said: “She maintains her position as to the events as she says they unfolded.” She added that the liquid used was never formally identified as the police did not forensically test it.
Miss Mellor added that English has a background of heroin misuse and five of her former partners have died, including one recently.
After the case, Detective Constable Catherine Jowett, of Northumbria Police, said: “Our thanks go to the victim in this deeply upsetting case. She has been through a horrendous ordeal since November 20 last year and been left with life-changing injuries.
“We also commend the woman for her immense bravery in having to speak at court as part of the trial and relive the vicious attack with which she was subjected to. Hopefully, now that her attacker has been jailed she can begin to move on with her life although we appreciate that permanent damage has been caused to her.
“Donna English’s actions were reprehensible and completely unacceptable. Let us be clear, there is absolutely no place whatsoever for violence in the communities we serve and although incidents of this nature are rare, we will always do our utmost to bring offenders to justice.
“English now has a significant period of time behind bars to reflect on the pain and misery she has caused to her victim.”
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