Shane Jenkin: Eye-gouge attacker due to be sentenced

A man who blinded his girlfriend by gouging her eyes is due to appear in court to be sentenced.

Shane Jenkin, 33, of Sea Lane, Hayle, Cornwall, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent after attacking Tina Nash, 31, on 20 April last year.

Ms Nash, who also had her jaw fractured and nose broken, said she was not brave but was "surviving".

Jenkin imprisoned the mother-of-two at her house in Hayle for 12 hours after the attack, Truro Crown Court heard.

After the "vicious" attack, attempts were made to save the sight in one of Ms Nash's eyes.

Despite the efforts of medical experts the attempts were in vain and she was left completely blind.

Although there had been previous violence in the couple's relationship, Ms Nash told police she thought she could change Jenkin.

She said that she had helped him get out of trouble for hurting her on previous occasions.

Ms Nash said that Jenkin had blamed her after the attack.

She said: "He was saying 'it's all your fault, I'm going to get years for this'."

The attack had left her feeling "buried alive, claustrophobic and not in control of my life", said Ms Nash.

Det Insp Chris Strickland, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said it was the "most shocking" case he had ever dealt with.

More than a year on, Ms Nash said she was feeling a lot more confident.

"I feel like I'm coming to terms with it now, I don't feel as low as what I did. I'm definitely getting the old me back.

"To be honest with you, I feel nothing towards him [Jenkin], nothing, because that's a feeling, and I don't want to have any feelings for him.

"I don't think I'm brave, I think I'm surviving... you only get one life, so I'm not going to let him ruin it," she added.

After Jenkins' guilty plea, Mr Strickland said he was relieved Ms Nash had been spared the ordeal of having to give evidence in open court.