Leanne, 50, from Rockhampton, shares her true life story.
Pulling up in my driveway, I glanced over at the set of house keys on the front seat and smiled.
I’d recently inspected a new property that I was considering moving to and it was early evening by the time I returned home.
As I unfastened my seatbelt and picked up my handbag and phone, my car door swung open.
I turned to find a woman standing there. She glared at me and mumbled something inaudible.
“Sorry?” I asked, confused.
“Get out the car!” she snarled.
She snatched my phone and yanked my shirt. My heart raced as I saw she was holding a heavy-looking chisel.
Her empty eyes seemed to burn into me as I staggered a few paces away from the car.
I turned and started walking away quickly.
There was a motel on the corner. I could call for help from there.
Suddenly I heard the woman running behind me.
“Give me the keys!” she yelled.
I realised the keys were in my handbag.
The woman must have tried to start it using the house keys on the front seat.
I reached into my bag to find them but in that second, she raised the chisel and struck me on the forehead.
Some of the staples in my head.
The impact was intense. I felt blood gush down my face.
I felt dizzy, but I knew I had to stay upright.
She swung her weapon a second time, then a third, smashing into my head and shoulder.
I tried to block her with my arms and bag but she’d become frenzied.
Another blow sliced through my scalp.
As I fought her off, I saw the ground was splattered with my blood.
I tried to push her back, but the metal tool slammed into my elbow sending a shockwave of pain through me.
I spun around and I caught sight of a young man crossing the road just metres away. He was holding a phone.
“Get help!” I shouted.
My injuries after the attack were severe and very painful.
He turned towards me and gasped. I saw him punching numbers on his phone.
“The keys!” the woman hissed again.
I could barely see because there was so much blood pouring out of my head and into my eyes.
She raised the chisel again. I was sure one more blow to my skull and I’d be dead.
“Please, this is silly,” I rasped. “You don’t need to hurt me. Here, I’ve got money in my wallet.”
Rifling through my bag, I fished out a $20 note.
The woman’s eyes watched me desperately, but she wasn’t backing down.
She took a step towards me, the chisel held up, ready to inflict the fatal blow.
Just then, the piercing sound of sirens cut through the air.
An ambulance sped towards us, with a police car following right behind. Startled, the woman ran away.
Me immediately after the attack.
Collapsing with relief, I struggled to remain conscious. If I closed my eyes, I’d surely never wake again.
The ambos appeared and started trying to stem the blood flow.
The man I’d called for help was there, too.
“Thank you,” I stammered to him.
If he hadn’t been there, I’d be dead.
“You’re welcome,” he said.
As bandages were being applied, he told me I was very lucky.
“Actually I was playing Pokemon Go,” he said. “If there hadn’t been a couple of them over there, I would have gone the other way.”
Despite the sickening pain, I managed a half smile.
I also played the game where you wander the streets trying to track down and catch the imaginary creatures.
How crazy that a Pokemon had saved my life!
In hospital, I needed 12 staples to different sections of my head and several stitches to the large gash on my face.
I snapped a picture of my wounds and sent it to my two kids, who lived hours away.
They both panicked when they saw it.
I was a bloody mess but I assured them I’d recover, physically at least.
I was sure the memory of this horrible night would haunt my mind forever.
The man who helped me had been playing Pokemon Go nearby. Without him, I would have been done for.
Credit: Getty images
When I was allowed out, I was too scared to return home in case the deranged woman found me.
The police had told me that she’d disappeared.
Luckily, my friend let me stay with her.
My whole body ached and I was too shaken to even think about leaving her house. It made me furious that this woman had made me feel so scared and unsafe.
How dare she!
It was lucky I’d been strong enough to defend myself. An elderly person wouldn’t have stood a chance.
Three days later, police called to say they’d caught her.
She’ll face court later this year. The chisel she was holding was actually a tool used to break up bricks.
My friend looked after me well, but I was still too distraught to return to my old home so I arranged to move into my new place instead.
I had security cameras installed and an auto-gate which doesn’t let other cars enter the property unless I allow it. But my scars remain.
For a long time, I cried at the sight of the ugly gashes across my face and arms. But as word of my bravery spread, Kandee Apples Boudoir Photography gave me a free makeover to help boost my confidence.
It worked a treat!
My makeover was a great pick-me up. Credit: Kandee Apples Boudoir Photography.
I was also interviewed by the local paper about the attack.
“What are you going to do now?” the reporter asked.
“Belly dancing!” I chuckled sarcastically.
Imagine my horror when he put that in the paper as if I was being serious!
It’s become a bit of a running joke now – I’ve had to explain to my bemused friends and family that I have no intentions of shaking my bare belly around in public!
Having a good laugh about that has helped me through a very dark time.
While the thoughtful makeover was a great pick-me-up, nothing will disguise the fear and stress I live with after my attack.
I just hope no-one else goes through this nightmare.
