Woman speaks of harrowing assault as attacker is jailed
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Friday 11 November 2022
A woman left with life-changing facial injuries has spoken out about her attack after the man responsible was jailed for 10 years.
Dean Burgess, 42, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday 28 October, after pleading guilty to wounding with intent.
He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and will serve a minimum of two-thirds behind bars, with a further five years on licence.
Burgess attacked the woman in a drunken rage in June 2022, inside her home in Colchester.
She was left with stab wounds to her arms and hands, a head wound from being hit with a glass bottle and life-changing injuries to her face from being punched repeatedly. She’s still receiving extensive treatment in hospital for a broken jaw, multiple fractures and deep lacerations to her head and face.
After the assault, Burgess left the woman in her bedroom bleeding from her injuries and passed out on the sofa in the living room. He left the house the next morning.
He was arrested a few days later, charged and has been remanded in custody since.
"I worried about calling anyone as I didn’t want to get him in trouble."
The woman he heartlessly 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 know that people like him deserve to be in prison"
She said:
“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 knew something was wrong with his behaviour but I never thought he would lay a hand on me.
“Now as I look back at what I’ve been through and the impact this is having on me and my family, I know that people like him deserve to be in prison.”
She thanked both her investigating officer and Independent Domestic Violence Adviser (IDVA) team
When asked about those she’d like to thank, she said:
“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.
“The IDVA team at Next Chapter have also been a massive support to me.
“Although I can’t move on just yet, I’m now looking forward to having the time to focus on the people that matter to me the most.
“This sort of thing changes you as a person and I won’t ever take life for granted.”
The investigating officer said "he is a danger to communities"
DC Jason Corrigan, the investigating officer from Colchester’s Domestic Abuse Investigation Team, said:
“The sheer callousness of Burgess is still hard to comprehend.
“Even when he awoke the next morning, he still didn’t seek help for the woman he’d assaulted or feel any remorse for his actions. He just left her there on her own.
“All of us, including every person who has supported her alongside Essex Police, have worked together to make sure Burgess answered for his crimes.
“She has been incredibly strong throughout this whole process and I’m glad we’ve been able to get this result for her. Her injuries are without doubt some of the worst I’ve seen.
“No amount of time will ever make up for the life-long pain and trauma he’s left her with, but there is no doubt that he is a danger to communities and rightfully where he belongs, behind bars.”
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Next Chapter (formerly known as Colchester & Tendring Women's Refuge) is a domestic abuse charity working across the areas of Tendring, Colchester, Maldon, Chelmsford, Braintree & Uttlesford. They provide free and confidential services to support people who are currently experiencing, or have previously experienced domestic abuse. Find out more on their website.
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