Freddy Smith has been jailed for six years after a series of violent assaults on his pregnant girlfriend, Maisie Henderson.
The abuse took place between 2021 and 2022.
Henderson was 24 years old.
Smith used a sword to strike her legs, leaving deep injuries and permanent scars.
He cut her thigh with a razor blade while she showered, exposing muscle tissue.
He strangled her.
He hit her head with an iron rod.
He punched her more than 20 times in one assault.
Henderson said she was forced to drink Smith’s blood.
During many attacks, she lay still and prayed for her unborn child’s safety.
Smith controlled her daily life.
He locked her in the home.
He took her phone.
He stopped her from looking in mirrors.
After assaults, he would cry and seek sympathy.
Henderson came to see the behaviour as normal.
Her mother reported her missing.
Police intervened.
Smith was arrested.
He was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm, strangulation and controlling and coercive behaviour.
Henderson has begun rebuilding her life.
She is now studying nursing and midwifery.
She says she lives a quiet, safe life without fear.
Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing. We educate, inform and support nurses across Africa.
