POLICE have praised the bravery of a Trowbridge woman who was violently beaten, after she waived her right to anonymity to send a message to other domestic abuse victims.

Sonia Saxby was left bloody and battered and suffered a traumatic sexual assault in the final attack by her partner of two and a half years.

Following the violent attack in November last year, Ms Saxby gave evidence to police and saw her former partner David Hateley, 56, of Harford Street, Trowbridge, sent to prison for ten years at Winchester Crown Court.

She has now given permission for her daughter Anna to tell her story and raise money through the website GoFundMe for the charities that helped her, including the Bobby Van, a women’s refuge in Trowbridge and Victim Support at Winchester Crown Court.

DC Sara Robert, who was involved with the case from the day after the attack, said: “It is fantastic to get such a sentence for what was a horrific attack. Sonia has been marvellous and has conducted herself throughout with dignity and poise.

“When she went to court, she read out her witness statement herself and was dignified and incredibly brave. She has three children and they have all been very supportive.

“It is important that the public see that justice is served and that there is light at the end of the tunnel for women like Sonia.

“She won’t be the first or the last to suffer an assault at the hands of someone who was supposed to be a loved one. Justice has been done and she just wanted to make sure that her story is out there and that it does some good.”

DC Robert added that Ms Saxby received support after her ordeal from the Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) and the Bobby Van, which came out and increased security at her home.

Ms Saxby’s daughter Anna said her mum wanted to go public with the graphic images of her injuries at the hands of her former partner to raise awareness for other domestic violence victims and show they can escape.

Anna writes on the GoFundMe page: “This horrendous image is of my world, aka my mum. November last year my brother called me to say mum had been beaten. What greeted us was a nightmare.

"Mum was beaten, bruised, bleeding and we thought we were going to lose her. She had not only been brutally beaten but badly sexually assaulted.

“The months that followed took outstanding courage and bravery from our mum to make sure justice was served and it was. The monster that did this is now behind bars for a very long time.

“This campaign is not for our benefit, every penny raised will be donated to domestic violence charities Victim Support at the court, who were amazing, and our local Bobby Van, who secured the house immediately."

She adds: “Even if we only raise awareness that the grass really is greener on the other side of domestic violence and save one person, we as a family will be proud.”

To donate to the GoFundMe page, visit www.gofundme.com/zvdexw