A mum-of-two has posted a defiant selfie to make a stand against domestic abuse after an attack by her ex-boyfriend left her with a bloodied face.
Louise Bacon, 45, was left scarred for life after she was punched square in the face by her ex-partner of five years John Brown.
Brown, 35, was convicted of assault after he beat Louise in her home and fled when neighbours heard her screams and they called the police.
However, he only received a four week jail term, suspended for 18 months following a hearing at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court, but was given with a restraining order.
Louise admitted the abuse would tend to be when Brown was hungover or on the come down following drink and drug binges.
Speaking about the horrendous beating, brave Louise said: “Next thing I knew he pushed me back onto the stairs and had one hand on my chest.
“Then he drew his hand back and punched me right in the face – there was blood pouring down.”
Mum-of-two Louise says she did not wish to see her vile partner jailed and instead “get the help he needed”.
She had initially decided not to press charges after being assaulted by him – but said IT consultant Brown was not going to get away with it for a second time.
Just months before she was left covered in blood, Brown had slapped her across the face during an argument “over nothing”.
However, after initially ringing the police to press charges, she decided against it after not wanting to ruin Brown’s career.
“But then when I was left covered in blood the second time I just felt like, well he’s ruining my life, so I think I should press charges,” she added.
Louise says the assaults began after “pushing and shoving ended with fists into my face”.
She said the abuse started with just nasty comments, but it developed into a violent relationship after she became infatuated by him.
Louise, who owns a hairdressing salon, is now encouraging other women, and also men, to stand up to report incidents of domestic abuse.
Louise, of Mansfield, Notts, said: “The signs were always there from the beginning – he was abusive, swearing at me, saying nasty things.
“I was so in love with him at one point and there was that fear of being alone bringing up a child, but it sometimes it’s better to be alone.
“I just want to tell other women they shouldn’t be scared to leave – there is support there for them.”
Louise has been left with a scar over her left eye from the attack, which she said she had initially been embarrassed about.
She said: “Now I tell people what happened – I want to let other women know it’s not their fault, they aren’t to blame.”
“Women’s Aid were in touch straight away and I was given support from the court too.”
Brave Louise faced her attacker in court despite being offered a screen to stand behind so Brown could not see her as she gave evidence.
She said: “It was my way of telling him it was over – it was the hardest day of my life but I’m glad I did it.”
In court Brown was also ordered to pay £1.000 in compensation, a victim surcharge of £115 and costs of £620.
