Fraudster dies after pouring acid on own face in court

A man poured acid on his own face in court in May after he was found guilty of fraud, finally dying yesterday of his injuries.

Marshall, who was on bail, was carrying a metal water bottle - although CCTV footage is believed to have shown that he had sipped from it as he passed through security at the entrance to the building. He admitted a series of cheque fraud offences involving 135,000 and was heard to wail and scream when the judge sentenced him to two years and four months in prison.

According to one person present, the defendant's face went white and there was a smell of acid.

"It looked like he had glue on his skin," the witness said.

A female dock officer was also injured.