Brave domestic violence victim speaks out after ex-boyfriend slashed her across face with knife
Nicola Walker, 33, was punched, sliced and attacked with hammer
A BRAVE woman who was scarred for life after a vicious slashing attack by her ex-partner has spoken out in support of domestic abuse victims.
Nicola Walker, 33, needed more than 20 stitches after her boyfriend Marc Harbison used a kitchen knife to slice open her face.
She has opened up about her horrific ordeal to encourage other women to speak up after seeing her ex jailed.
Nicola was terrified when Marc, 29, lashed out after she accidentally smashed a photo key-ring of the pair together.
After a night out in Newcastle, Marc, of Ashfield, Jarrow knocked Nicola unconscious with a single blow and then left her to wake up on the living room settee.
When she came round, he picked up a hammer and smashed it into her thigh, leaving her in excruciating pain and struggling to walk.
He then reached for a kitchen knife and "waved it around like a mad man."
He sliced the blade through Nicola's throat and then through her face, causing a long deep cut going from the top of her left cheek to her mouth – which will remain there forever.
Nicola, from Washington, said: "I was so scared of him. When he slashed my neck and I saw the blood all I could keep thinking was, I can't believe I'm still alive.
"The doctor told me that if the cut on my face was any deeper than I would have undoubtedly bled to death within minutes."
When Harbison realised the seriousness of what he had done, he called his MUM Valerie Gardner, 49, who arrived almost instantly.
She drove the pair to the hospital where Nicola was given 22 stitches down the full length of her cheek.
Harbison also slashed himself to make it look like the couple had been jumped on - however the hospital could see that his injuries were nowhere near as serious.
After dropping them off Gardner, of Ashfield, Jarrow, disposed of evidence and emotionally blackmailed Nicola into not telling the police.
Brave Nicola found the strength to report them the next day.
She said: "When we first got together he was so nice, we went everywhere together and it was all so perfect.
"After the attack he begged me to drop the charges against him, and his mam kept on sending messages emotionally blackmailing me - telling me that Marc would kill himself if I called the police, but people needed to know how dangerous he is.
"I would never want anyone to go through what I have done - I thought that I was going to die that night.
"I just hope that by telling my story I can encourage other victims to tell the police and get justice.
"At first I was really self-conscious about my scar, but I cover it with foundation and it just shows me how lucky I was.
"It is a small price to pay for what could have potentially happened.
"Marc will never change, and next time it could be worse - I fear that the same thing could happen to another poor girl.
"I really want to encourage other domestic abuse victims to come forward and put their attackers in prison.
"The help is out there for victims and it is really effective.
"You are your own person, women need to stop being victims to domestic violence because we deserve so much more - everyone deserves some happiness."
In May Harbison pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to unlawful wounding and possession of class A drugs with intent to supply.
He was jailed for six years as well as being given a life long restraining order to stop him from going near Nicola.
Gardner was sentenced to five months' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months with 100 hours' unpaid work and £1,200 costs, following the attack in April 2015.
She had admitted perverting the course of justice.
Nicola said: "I needed him put away, the sentence wasn't enough but I am so pleased with the life long restraining order.
“Neither him or Val can come near me and I can focus on rebuilding my life."
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