A domestic abuse survivor was praised for her bravery in speaking out about the violence she suffered at the hands of her ex-partner.
Leanne Gaskell thought she was going to die on multiple occasions during her two year relationship with Paul Cave, who subjected her to both physical and mental abuse.
Cave was jailed for four years, with an extended two years on licence at Liverpool Crown Court last month after he slashed Leanne's cheek open with a mug, leaving her with permanent scars.
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Now, hundreds of people have praised Leanne for her bravery in making sure the public know what Cave has done.
The 37-year-old shared her story with the ECHO to raise awareness of domestic abuse and to help other victims feel less alone.
Harrowing photos show the injuries Leanne suffered after Cave broke the mug across her face and left her covered in blood.
She had to ring 999 herself and was rushed to hospital, where Cave turned up to say how "sorry" he was, before threatening to "have her shot" if she cooperated with police.
ECHO readers left messages of support for Leanne and thanked her for her bravery in sharing her story to help other women and victims of domestic abuse.
Jen Kriso said: "Makes me sick to my stomach! Brave woman, all the best beautiful."
Fiona Gilmore said: "So sad to read. Brave to share your story as it might help other women. Glad you got out in the end. There are some evil men about. You deserve a good one and to be happy."
Sharon Hesketh said: "What a vile [rat]. Hope this poor girl finds peace now, and makes a full recovery physically and emotionally."
Another woman wrote: "Well done for getting out babe! I know how hard it is in that situation. Be strong you got this queen xxx."
The violence first started around a month into the relationship, when Leanne recalls Cave slapping her during an argument.
She said: "He was so controlling and I was scared right from the start, and once you're in something like that you can't get out.
"It just started with slaps and punches and then he'd start choking me until I passed out - that's what he used to do all the time."
Leanne said Cave would regularly confiscate her phone and social media accounts so she couldn't reach out to people.
She said: "The bruises are constant, they're normal. it became normal to have bruises on my body from him, it was like everyday.
"I thought he was going to kill me so many times."
On one occasion, Leanne said she was left with a broken back after being repeatedly kicked in the spine by Cave, who confiscated her phone and wouldn't let her go to hospital.
The violence escalated even further on October 25 last year, when Cave headbutted and punched a wall in a drunken rage at Leanne's home.
When she tried to calm him down, Cave called her a slut and broke a mug across her face, inflicting a 5cm long, 2.5cm deep wound, which has left a permanent scar.
He then fled from the house, leaving Leanne to call an ambulance herself and she was taken to hospital for treatment.
When arrested and interviewed later that day, Cave accepted he had been drinking at his victim's home the night before.
However, he claimed he had left after an argument with his partner and denied causing any injury to her.
Things finally came to a head a few days later, when Leanne told Cave she didn't want to be in a relationship with him anymore.
She said: "When I came out of hospital with my stitching, I went back to him and we went to stay with his friends in Melling - and that was the worst attack I've ever ever had.
"I said 'I don't want to be with you anymore', and I'd sort of told him that we were splitting up anyway and then that's why he battered me.
"I'd only just had my stiches done and he ripped all my stitches out. I genuinely thought he was going to kill me."
A friend dialled 999 and Cave was arrested for a second time, before Leanne found the courage to give a statement to police.
Leanne added: "People say 'why didn't you just leave' and it sounds so simple because why would somebody rationally put up with somebody treating them like that? But it's just so hard.
"You're trapped, you're in it and you can't get out, it's like you're brain washed."
Cave has 22 previous convictions for 50 offences, dating back to 1989, including violence and dishonesty.
He was jailed for four years on July 30, with an extended two years on licence.
Leanne is keen to "get her life back together" after what's happened, and is getting support from her local crisis and mental health services.
She has also been accepted to go back to college to complete an access course in nursing in the coming months.
If you have been affected by any issues mentioned in this article, you can contact the Domestic Violence Helpline for free on 0808 2000 247 or any of the following organisations:
