A FERMANAGH woman who suffered horrific injuries in a sustained assault by her former partner over a year ago has urged other victims of domestic abuse to seek help before it is too late.

Tanya Donegan, a mother-of-two from Newtownbutler, was left fearing for her life as a result of the brutal attack, which lasted for four hours in the early morning of August 1, 2015.

The man responsible was Damien Ingram, her partner for over 11 years and father to her two children. At the time, they were engaged to be married.

Her injuries were so bad that staff treating her at the hospital thought she had been in a car accident.

She had to get three staples in her head, suffered a broken arm and had substantial bruising all over her body.

Last month at Dungannon Crown Court, 39-year-old Ingram, with an address at Main Street, Lisnaskea, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to her on the night of the assault.

He received a total sentence of 16 months, with eight months in custody and a further eight months on licence.

A restraining order was also placed on the defendant, preventing him from harassing his victim over the next three years.

Still struggling to come to terms with the physical and mental scars that he inflicted, Tanya told The Impartial Reporter that she was nevertheless determined to start a new chapter in her life.

Speaking this week, she said: “Part of me was relieved when he finally pleaded guilty. I do think he deserved more, but I’m just glad he wasn’t walking out of there.

“It has been an emotional journey, definitely. The day he was sentenced I just thought this was going to be a new chapter in my life now.

“I’m going to make it work for me and my children and try and build a life again. Because this last year has not been a life for any of us.”

In a victim impact statement (VIS) prepared for the court about the assault, Tanya stated: “I survived, but I didn’t think I would.”

During the attack, Ingram pulled her out of bed, dragged her across the landing of their house by her hair and then down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs, he flung her and her head hit a radiator, knocking her out.

The VIS report describes what happened next.

“I remember regaining consciousness at the bottom of the stairs and the defendant was sitting a short distance away staring at me. I remember a pool of blood beside my head and then a saucepan of water being thrown over me... I thought I was going to die,” Tanya stated.

She was then thrown out on to the street and was collected by her sister’s partner, who took her to the hospital.

In the report, Tanya stated that the fear of her former partner returning to “finish off the job” has never left her.

Although her physical injuries have improved, the mental scars remain. She said her personality and social circle have changed completely, and she trusts no-one.

She also has problems sleeping and remains paranoid about him coming to get her. She wakes up imagining him standing at the side of her bed staring at her.

“I take medication for panic attacks of which I need in preparation for when I go anywhere. I always go with someone, never on my own,” she stated.

Also in the report, the Newtownbutler woman revealed that her former partner had never apologised for his actions.

“I want this court to know the defendant has never shown me or the children any remorse, apology or regret for his actions that night or since.

“He has never said sorry. Ever,” she stated.

Although she admitted that she had been living in a nightmare since August 2015, Tanya praised the support that she has received from the police, Women’s Aid and, in particular, her family.

“I was not the only victim that morning. My family have walked every step of my recovery with me and their strength for me and my children will never be forgotten,” she said.

Determined to get herself “strong again”, Tanya is now urging other women suffering in abusive relationships to “get out and save themselves”.

“I have got out. I remain here and I am still alive.

“I can continue being a mum to my two boys.

“However, I’ve now got scars on my body as a result of ever thinking it could’ve worked. I would just say to other women who are suffering to walk away. No-one has the right to treat a person in this way.”

Welcoming Damien Ingram’s sentencing, Detective Inspector Laurie Nicholson, from the PSNI’s Public Protection Branch, said: “It is our job to keep people safe. When it comes to domestic abuse, our role is about prevention, protection and prosecution. We want to prevent further violence, protect the victim and facilitate the prosecution of offenders.”

The detective encouraged all victims, regardless of age, race, gender or sexuality, to come forward and report the matter to the police, by ringing 101 or 999 in an emergency.