Yahoo News Marc Marshall: Man dies after pouring acid over himself in dock at London court
A man has died after pouring acid over himself in the dock of a courtroom, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed.
Marc Marshall was appearing at Inner London Crown Court in April when he doused himself in the corrosive liquid.
The 55-year-old defendant was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but died on Wednesday morning.
An MoJ spokesman told Sky News: "We are sad to learn of the death of Marc Marshall this morning and our thoughts are with his family.
"The safety and security of all court users is our priority.
"Since the incident in April, we have reviewed our search processes and now make sure defendants' property is stored securely and out of reach while they are in the dock."
Marshall had reportedly just been sentenced at the time of the incident after pleading guilty to a series of cheque fraud offences involving £135,000.
A judge had imposed a sentence of two years and four months imprisonment when Marshall was heard to wail and scream, according to the BBC.
A witness told the broadcaster that the defendant's face went white and there was a smell of acid, adding: "It looked like he had glue on his skin."
A female dock officer was also hurt but she did not require hospital treatment.
The Courts Service said it was "deeply concerned about the incident" and police were investigating.
It was reported that Marshall's case had already been delayed due to medical problems he suffered after he stabbed himself in the neck when he was arrested in 2016.
The Metropolitan Police said the death was being treated as "unexplained" after officers were called to reports of a serious assault at the court shortly after 12pm on Monday 29 April.
Ambulance crews also attended and a "male aged in his 50s was found to have doused himself with a noxious substance", a Met Police statement said.
"He died in hospital on Wednesday 26 June," it added.
"His next of kin have been notified. A post-mortem examination will take place in due course.
"The death is being treated as unexplained while the investigation into the incident continues."
