Domestic abuse victim praised for speaking out and sharing image of 'horrific' injuries

August 17, 2023

A woman who suffered severe beatings from her partner, leaving her nearly unrecognisable, has urged the police to share images of her life-altering injuries to show the extent of the horrific domestic abuse.

Violent Karl Machin filmed the attack on his partner at her home in Blackpool on 4 December, which left the mother-of-one with dozens of serious injuries including a broken jaw, lost teeth, shattered eye socket and concussion.

The victim, who has asked not to be named, now suffers from a brain injury which causes memory issues, speech impairment and nerve damage to her face.

WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS A GRAPHIC IMAGE OF INJURY

She has also spoken about the extensive emotional damage the attack has caused.

"The trauma and psychological distress this has caused me is immeasurable," she said.

"I feel vulnerable and unsafe in my own home now as I still have vivid flashbacks of what happened to me there, my home feels like it has been defiled and is no longer my sanctuary and safe space.

"I have no real idea of the true impact emotionally of the attack will be and must be realistic in it may leave me with lifelong repercussions on my self-confidence and esteem, but I am striving and trying my best to regain some of the old me back."

Machin admitted grievous bodily harm and has been jailed for seven years and two months. He has also been handed a 10-year restraining order.

Det Con Jo Clement, of Blackpool Police, said: "Karl Machin subjected his victim to a brutal, severe and life-changing assault which left her not only with horrific injuries but with lasting psychological damage too.

"He is clearly an extremely violent individual and I welcome both the custodial sentence and the restraining order imposed by the court.

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"I would like to praise the victim for having the courage to speak about what happened to her and to be prepared to go through the court process.

"I hope her bravery will give other women who may be in violent or abusive relationships the confidence to come forward and report it to police safe in the knowledge we will investigate professionally and sensitively and that we will seek to put offenders before the courts and get justice for victims."

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