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A beautician disfigured in an acid attack planned by her jealous ex-boyfriend said she has “few tears left” but vowed: “I will survive this ordeal”.

Adele Bellis, 23, spoke out after Anthony Riley, 26, was found guilty of arranging for her to be doused in sulphuric acid.

She lost an ear, was left partially bald and has “life-changing” facial scarring following the attack at a bus stop near her home.

In a statement Adele said: “In August last year my life was changed forever and I find it difficult to put into words the pain I have suffered and continue to suffer. I have very few tears left.

“I have had to endure significant medical treatment as a result of being attacked with the acid and this treatment will have to be on-going for many years to come.

“The effects of the attacks on me have not only been physical and emotional but have greatly hurt my family and friends, all of whom have been by my side since these incidents.

(Image: Suffolk Police/PA)

“I will never forget what happened to me and it will always be in my mind but I am determined to live my life and I will survive this ordeal.

“I am grateful to the jury for listening to the prosecution evidence and reaching what I consider to be the right decision.

“I am also relieved and glad that Anthony Riley, a person who has subjected me to unimaginable pain and suffering, will be serving a sentence which will keep myself and others safe from any further acts of violence.”

Adele also publicly thanked the Katie Piper foundation for their support in helping her “rebuild her life”.

The acid attack was the culmination of a campaign of abuse by amateur boxer Riley, who was in an on-off relationship with Adele for seven years.

(Image: East Anglia News)

He was consumed with jealousy that she would start seeing another man and wanted to disfigure her.

The trial heard he initially offered a heroin addict £2,000 to throw acid in Adele’s face.

When the man refused he paid cannabis user Jason Harrison, 27, £500 to carry out the attack.

Ipswich Crown Court heard Riley demonstrated the strength of acid by dipping a live mouse into a jar of it and laughing as it died in agony.

Harrison hurled the liquid over Adele at a bus stop near her home in Lowestoft, Suffolk, as she travelled to work on August 14 last year.

She gave evidence via video, saying: “I remember I was smoking, I was just crying and shouting ‘I’m burning, I’m burning’.”

(Image: Albanpix)

Adele was in hospital for two months and has undergone extensive skin grafts and facial reconstruction. She will need further surgery, which is likely to continue throughout her life.

Less than four months earlier Riley paid heroin addict Leon Thompson, 39, to slash his girlfriend in the mouth with a Stanley knife.

He also posted ‘revenge porn’ of the pair of them having sex on Facebook in a bid to cause her “complete and utter shame and humiliation.”

A jury of six men and six women took two and a half hours to find Riley and Thompson guilty of conspiracy to apply a corrosive liquid and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

Riley, of Lowestoft, who used to compete as a Cruiserweight boxer, was also convicted of false imprisonment.

(Image: PA)

The thug, who has 12 convictions for offences including violence dating back to 2004, hung his head in the dock when the verdicts were returned.

Harrison, of Lowestoft, admitted carrying out the attack and Riley’s henchman Daniel Marshall, 38, of Haverhill, Suffolk, also admitted conspiracy to apply a corrosive liquid.

All four men who are in custody will be sentenced next month.

Judge John Devaux thanked the jurors for hearing what he described as “a deeply unpleasant case.”

He told them: “It is the luck of the draw which case you hear and it was your misfortune to listen to some really unpleasant facts which would not have left you unaffected.”

Outside court Adele’s parents Kevin Bellis, 55, and Colleen, 51, revealed their daughter has been attending weekly appointments at a specialist burns unit.

Kevin added: “Adele is just so strong. If it wasn’t for her, we would all have crumbled. Riley is a guilty man, that is all we can say.”

Colleen described the attack on her daughter as ‘horrendous’ and revealed she could not bring herself to look at heavily tattooed Riley in the dock.

Det Con Matt Rogers, an officer in the case, added that Adele has shown “incredible dignity” in the face of “barbaric violence”.

Judge John Devaux adjourned sentencing until the week beginning October 5.