Man jailed after woman left with "life-changing" injuries following Colchester assault
He'll spend 10 years behind bars
A man has been jailed for 10 years after leaving a woman with life-changing injuries following an attack in Colchester.
Dean Burgess, 42, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday 28 October, after pleading guilty to wounding with intent.
He'll serve 10 years in prison, of which he must serve a minimum of two thirds. Upon release he'll serve a further five years on licence.
Burgess targeted his victim inside her Colchester home in June.
She suffered stab wounds to her arms and hands, as well as a head wound from being hit with a glass bottle.
She's still being treated for a broken jaw, multiple fractures and deep cuts.
Burgess was arrested a few days after the assault, having left the woman in her bedroom bleeding from her injuries.
The woman he attacked said:
“My life has been ruined since this happened and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.
“My surgeon is still helping to reconstruct my face and my fifth operation is scheduled next week.
“I’ve had 22 stitches in my cheek and 31 to the back of my head. My eye socket was dislodged, my nose was broken in three place and both my jaws were broken.
“As I lay there bleeding out the next morning, he walked in with a knife and saw me.
“He said, ‘Look at what you’ve made me do. Now I’m going to have to kill you’, before he walked out and just left me there.
“Even then, I worried about calling anyone as I didn’t want to get him in trouble.”
“I’m still coming to terms with how I look in a mirror and my kids find it hard to look at me.
“I was always the life and soul of the party and now I struggle to even leave the house.
“I have to say that I don’t think I’d have got this far without my family. My close friend has also been right by my side helping me. He’ll do my shopping, help me with self-care and just make me laugh.
“My investigating officer from Essex Police, Jason, has also been an absolute star. I’ll always remember that he stayed with me and supported me when I gave my first statement. I know he’s worked noon and night to help me."