Mum-of-two suffers horrific burns and broken bones after being attacked by her controlling ex boyfriend
Lauren Adcock, 28, of Walsall, was viciously assaulted by Jajay Flynn, 26, in a terrifying three hour ordeal
A-MUM-of-two was left scarred for life in a brutal attack at the hands of her ex-boyfriend who even threatened to 'burn' her kids.
Lauren Adcock, 28, of Walsall, West Midlands, was viciously assaulted by controlling Jajay Flynn, 26, in a terrifying three hour ordeal in which he burnt her with a lighter and cigarettes.
Eventually she managed to escape and fled to hospital where scans revealed she had suffered fractures to her hand, as well as horrific burns, and multiple bruises.
During the vicious attack he threatened to 'burn' her children if she made a noise.
Flynn was jailed for five-and-a-half years at Wolverhampton Crown Court after pleading guilty to two counts of wounding with intent of grievous bodily harm.
Now Lauren is urging others to leave controlling relationships after admitting that she once thought Flynn's possessive behaviour was normal.
She says: "I'm scarred for life, but I'm lucky that I was able to get out alive. Don't let anyone control you - that's not a loving relationship."
Lauren, a sales assistant, met unemployed Flynn through mutual friends last December and she quickly fell for his charming personality.
She says: "He was great with my two sons, which was really important to me. I thought he was the perfect guy and, before long, we became a couple."
But, within weeks, Flynn became possessive, constantly checking up on Lauren whenever she left the house.
Lauren says: "He bombarded me with texts asking me where I was and what time I'd be home. At first I thought it was sweet and loved that he was protective.
"But his behaviour got worse. He monitored my phone and stopped me from wearing make-up or dyeing my hair. Then he started accusing me of cheating on him. His jealousy was exhausting."
On Valentine's Day this year, the couple were enjoying an Indian takeaway, when Flynn flew into a rage.
Lauren recalled: "I had just dunked a poppadom into some mint sauce when he grabbed my arm and started screaming in my face. I just sat there in shock.
"From then on, I constantly felt like I was walking on eggshells. I wanted to leave him, but he threatened to kill me if I ever tried. Jajay was so volatile that I believed him - I was terrified.
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"Worst of all, he convinced me that no-one would believe me, so I didn't tell any of my friends and family what he was doing to me."
In April, Flynn's temper escalated.
Lauren said: "He was in a bad mood and suddenly tried to kick me in the head.
"Terrified, I put my hands up to defend myself so he kicked me in the hand instead. I felt sick as I heard the bones crunch.
"The pain was so intense that I begged Jajay to take me to hospital but he refused to let me leave the house."
The next night, Flynn launched another attack on Lauren.
She says: "He started punching me over and over, it was relentless. Then he heated up the metal on a lighter and dug it into my arm, before stubbing out cigarettes on my chest and face.
";I could smell my flesh burning and kept thinking that this was how I was going to die.
"He told me, 'Be quiet or I will burn the kids', and that he wanted to scar me so no one else would love me.
"The pain was excruciating but I was determined not to wake up my sons who were asleep in the next room, so I gritted my teeth and kept quiet."
Eventually, after three horror hours of torture, Flynn stopped.
The next day he took Lauren's phone, passport and credit card and told her he was going shopping.
When he was gone, she fled to Manor Hospital in Walsall, where she was treated for her burns and hand fractures.
Concerned at Lauren's extensive injuries, doctors alerted the police and she made a statement to officers.
After the vicious assault, Flynn went on the run, evading police for almost a week until he was eventually arrested.
Earlier this year, Jajay Flynn, 26, of no fixed address, appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court and pleaded guilty to two counts of wounding with intent of grievous bodily harm.
In September, he was jailed for five-and-a-half years and given a lifelong restraining order.
Lauren says: "I'm so happy he was jailed but I feel like he'll never leave me alone.
"I've been left with scars on my arm and chest which I'm conscious of so I cover up when I go out.
"The attack left me traumatised, I even had to move house.
"If your partner is controlling you, please seek help. Leave the relationship before you're scarred for life or, worse, killed."