A mum was slashed with a ‘zombie’ knife that scarred her for life on her first night out since giving birth.
Lauren Foster had hoped to have an enjoyable first night out, since giving birth to her child, 15-month-old son Jaxon, in November 2021.
But instead, the 23-year-old ended up in the Royal Stoke University Hospital with horrific injuries after being set upon by 18-year-old Joshua Clow outside a pub, StokeLive reported.
The teenager, a complete stranger to Lauren, attacked her last November with a ‘zombie’ knife that left her permanently scarred.
Lauren and her friends were approached by Clow, who asked them where he could get some drugs.
Outraged, the girls told him to leave them alone and an argument broke out, leading to Clow being led outside the Northwich premises by bouncers.
Later that night, when Lauren and her friends left, Clow was captured on CCTV racing towards them, knife in hand.
He then slashed at her several times, leaving the new mum with deep cuts across her back and arm.
Lauren, a cleaner, said: "It all happened so quickly – I didn’t realise what he was doing until it was too late. This was the first time I had been out since having a baby and then this happened.
"I didn’t know how bad it was until I looked down and I saw the white tissue from inside my arm. I don’t feel as though it was long enough for what I went through. He’ll serve around three years, but I’ll have these scars for life."
She added: "I had no idea who he was, and we told him to leave us alone when he first approached us. I tried to ignore him outside but he came running over to us.
"The bouncer tried to jump in the way but he wasn’t fast enough. I didn’t really notice the pain – I think my adrenaline kicked in. But I instantly saw the blood and thought the worst."
Police and paramedics arrived at the scene following the incident and Lauren was raced off to the Royal Stoke.
She was left with deep cuts, one of which needed internal and external stitches, and has been left with permanent scarring.
Clow from Manchester, was arrested for the attack. In May, he appeared at Chester Crown Court.
He pleaded guilty to wounding with intent, possession of a bladed article and assault. In mitigation, Ryan Rothwell, said he had a 'troubled upbringing' and suffered from mental health problems.
He also said his client 'lacks maturity'. He added that Clow had shown genuine remorse and had told him: "If I could take it back I would. I want the complainant to know how sorry I am."
Clow was sentenced to six years in a young offenders’ institution after the judge said there could have 'easily' been a fatality.
Since the attack, Lauren, who gave birth to her 15-month-old son Jaxon in November 2021, said she has been left 'shaken' but has vowed not to let it ruin her life.
She said: "I felt as though the sentence could have been longer. The attack has left me mentally scarred as well as physically.
"I needed help to look after my son because I couldn’t move around properly. But I am determined to not let it stop me living my life. I’ve been out on nights out since and trying to get back to normal."
