Woman, 53, shares harrowing photo of the appalling injuries she suffered at the hands of her abusive former partner who repeatedly punched her in the face before beating her with a TV sound bar

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A domestic abuse survivor has shared a harrowing photo to show the extent of her horrific injuries she suffered at the hands of her former partner.  

Lynn Hart, 53, thought she was going to die when David Harrison repeatedly punched her in the face before using a TV sound bar as a weapon.

She was left with extensive bruising on her face and her eyes were swollen shut for days following the attack in Lower Gornal in the West Midlands. 

When visiting her GP she was taken through the surgery's back door to avoid upsetting other patients.

Lynn Hart, 53, thought she was going to die when David Harrison repeatedly punched her in the face before using a TV sound bar as a weapon

Harrison flew into a rage on the morning of May 5 at his flat after returning from a nearby shop with alcohol.

The thug punched Ms Hart in the face before grabbing the TV speaker to hit her. As she lay on the floor, Harrison continued to stamp and spit at her.

It was the latest in a catalogue of violent outbursts and the final straw for Ms Hart, who reported the attack to West Midlands Police.

Harrison, 52, was arrested the following day and initially pleaded his innocence by suggesting his partner had fallen down a flight of stairs.

But detectives soon charged him with wounding and at Wolverhampton Crown Court on September 3 he was jailed for seven years after admitting the charge.

Ms Hart now wants to share her story in the hope other domestic abuse survivors will seek help from the police and support groups.

She said: 'I genuinely thought he was going to kill me. He just kept punching me in the face and then picked up the TV speaker and used that to hit me. I don't remember how I got out of the flat, it's all a blur.

'I went to my son's house where he called the ambulance and police. I love David, that's why I stayed with him through the beatings, in the hope he'd change but I knew my life was in danger if I stayed with him and enough was enough.

'We moved in together about six months after meeting and at first everything was great. 

'But he was a heavy drinker and slowly things started going wrong. First it was verbal abuse, putting me down and telling me things like "your family don't love you, only I love you".

David Harrison (left) initially pleaded his innocence by suggesting his partner had fallen down a flight of stairs

'But then he started with the physical attacks and they got worse over time. I would put on extra make-up and come up with excuses for anyone who saw through the concealer.' 

She continued: 'I loved him and wanted him to change and each time he'd apologise and tell me it would never happen again. 

'But I also thought there's no point reporting it to the police as it would be my word against his, I wouldn't be believed, and he'd then beat me even more. But that proved to be wrong and the police had enough to convict him.

'Looking back I should have got the police involved earlier but it's easy to say in hindsight. 

'They supported me from the moment I reported it, believed in me - that was important - and guided me through the court process.

'There might be thousands of people in the West Midlands in the position I was in, torn between their love for a partner but every day scared they could be assaulted for no reason, just a stray look or word. Or even no reason at all.

'What I'd say is get help. It's unlikely their abusive partner will suddenly just change - so speak to support groups like Women's Aid and speak to the police. They can help you escape violent situations and come out the other side.

'I know how difficult breaking away can be but I truly feel that if I'd have stayed with David any longer I would have ended up dead.'

Detective Inspector Catherine Webb-Jones, from the force's Public Protection Unit, said: 'Harrison's abusive behaviour escalated over time yet Lynn hoped he would change; she chose not to support prosecutions in the past through fear and in the hope his aggression and violence would stop.

'It didn't stop. Harrison proved to be a monster in drink with alcohol often being the trigger for his offending.

'Lynn's appeal comes from the heart: victims of abuse need to find the courage to seek support, don't suffer alone and don't tolerate abuse. Lynn is a survivor and others victims can take comfort and seek their own solace from the courage she has shown.

'West Midlands Police will seek to safeguard vulnerable people from further harm as well as identify the triggers of abuse. 

'Via referrals to support groups and charities such as Women's Aid, we can support victims to take action to prevent further harm, and via offender interventions will address the causes of domestic abuse in the hope of changing their behaviour.'