I thought I’d die when my ex smashed my head against a glass tank, beat & choked me – he left me looking like a monster
A WOMAN told how she was attacked by her childhood sweetheart who left her looking like a ‘monster from a horror film’ by smashing her head against a fish tank.
Lisa O’Malley, 33, was at home when her former boyfriend Jonathon Youthed, 32, turned up covered in blood and ‘bragging’ about assaulting another man.
Scared, Lisa, from Peterborough, Cambs., asked him to leave but he refused to go and launched a brutal attack on her – smashing her head against her coffee table, a fish tank and punching her more than 20 times.
Youthed – her ‘childhood sweetheart’ – left her thinking she was going to die.
According to Lisa, the attack lasted for nearly 25 minutes, and the neighbours called 999 when they heard Lisa’s screams for help.
She said: “He started punching me before grabbing a handful of my hair – he must have hit me 20 times.
“I tried to scramble free but he pulled my head into the coffee table and then dragged me over to the fish tank and continued to smash my head against the glass.
“The pain was unbearable and I remember things turning red the blood trickle down my face.
“I begged him to stop but he just screamed: ‘You don’t love me’ and ‘I’ll kill you.’
I tried to scramble free but he pulled my head into the coffee table and then dragged me over to the fish tank and continued to smash my head against the glass.
Lisa O'Malley
“It honestly felt like he was beating me for an eternity.
“At one point he dragged me to the ground and wrapped his legs around me and squeezed.
“I couldn’t breathe – in that moment I thought I was going to die.
“That’s when my son came downstairs and saw what was happening and kicked Jonathon.
“Luckily the police arrived in time, after my neighbours had called them and it took four officers to restrain him and he was finally taken away.”
The case went to Peterborough Crown Court in October 2018 where Youthed, from Peterborough, was found guilty of wounding with intent and jailed for 10 years.
He was sentenced to eight years for wounding with intent and two years for making threats to kill, to be served consecutively.
Lisa said: “I looked unrecognisable after the attack.
“Incredibly, I didn’t have broken bones, just some horrendous bruising.
“I had to cut my hair as well because he’d ripped out clumps of it that night.
“Three months after the attack and I had only managed to leave the house twice, it left me shaken and terrified.
“I still struggle with anxiety but I’m doing better and getting back on my feet.”
WHERE CAN I GET HELP?
You don’t have to suffer in silence.
If you are experiencing domestic violence or someone you know is there are groups that can help.
Refuge runs a free, 24-hour helpline on 0808 2000 247.
You can also visit the website or contact Women’s Aid.
“I’m so thankful my son was there that night – he saved my life.
“I can’t believe my childhood sweetheart was capable of hurting me like that.
“I guess I never really knew him.”
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