KERRY Ford should’ve spent her 43rd birthday unwrapping presents and sipping fizz with friends and family.
Instead, she lay battered and bruised in a hospital bed.
Sign up for the Fabulous newsletter
Thank you!
Now, Kerry, a nail technician, is speaking out to raise awareness for domestic abuse survivors Credit: HotSpot Media
Kerry met Adam Wiggins on Facebook last year – but she soon noticed he had ‘a jealous side’ Credit: HotSpot Media
For her thug boyfriend, Adam Wiggins, 35, had launched a savage attack -leaving Kerry blood-soaked, with terrible bruising and nasty gashes to her head.
Despite her horrific injuries, ex Army veteran, Wiggins walked free from court after being convicted of GBH without intent.
In February this year, was handed a two year sentence suspended for two years. Yet, just four months later, in June, Wiggins was back in court after harassing Kerry online.
He was caged for two years and nine weeks.
PURE EVIL
My daughter & her kids were murdered by boyfriend…but they could have been saved
GROSS LIES
I exposed a mum who faked cancer diagnosis for 7 years & scammed $105k donations
Looking back at the horrific evening, Kerry (pictured after the savage attack) believes she could’ve been ‘killed’ Credit: HotSpot Media
Despite Kerry begging the savage thug to call the ambulance, he drove away – forcing Kerry to flee to a neighbour’s Credit: HotSpot Media
Now, Kerry, a nail technician, from Caerphilly, South Wales is speaking out to raise awareness for domestic abuse survivors.
Kerry says: “Adam could’ve killed me that day, yet his sentence was a joke.“Whats more during the court case, I’d discovered he’d had six previous convictions. Including battery charges against three former partners.
“He’s clearly a danger to women and belongs behind bars.”
The pair met in March last year over Facebook.
She says: “After our first date, Adam stayed most nights at mine. But soon I noticed he had a jealous side.”
Whenever the pair went out together, Wiggins accused her of looking at other men.
If she didn’t answer his texts or calls immediately, he’d bombard her with messages, demanding she respond. Then he began putting her down.
She explains: “One night in a rage, called me a ‘fat b***h’ and ‘elephant girl’. His words hurt.”
Five years earlier Kerry had undergone a gastric bypass in Turkey seeing her lose 12st from her 23st frame.
“Adam apologised but his abuse continued,” Kerry says.
Then, five months on, in August, Wiggins was involved in a serious incident against Kerry. Afterwards, he fled, handing himself into the police, claiming mental health issues.
Kerry informed officers about the abuse and Wiggins was arrested.
Kerry battered and bruised in a hospital bed Credit: HotSpot Media
If she didn’t answer his texts or calls immediately, he’d bombard her with messages, demanding she respond. Then he began putting her down Credit: HotSpot Media
She says: “He was bailed and banned from contacting me. Yet he called me 47 times. I eventually answered and agreed to meet him.”
Again, Wiggins grovelled and Kerry forgave him. Later that week the pair went to a log cabin to celebrate her 43rd birthday.
Next night, back at her home, Wiggins went through her phone and started to accuse her of cheating again.
Kerry says: “By this time it was 12:30am, the day of my birthday. Out of nowhere, Adam smashed my mobile on my bedside table. Glass shattered all over the floor.”
Terrified another beating was headed her way, Kerry wet herself. After cleaning herself up, Wiggins squared up to her, before punching her in the face.
Kerry lashed out and slapped him. Then Wiggins rained down punches on Kerry. Hitting her in the head, stomach and side.
Kerry recalls: “I screamed at him to stop, but he carried on. Blood squirted out of my head. When I heard him go downstairs and out the front door, I staggered after him.
“I begged him to call and ambulance as I felt like I was dying.”
Yet Wiggins drove away – forcing Kerry to flee to a neighbour’s.
She says: “The owner gasped seeing my blood-stained body and thought my throat had been slit. Moments later I collapsed in a pool of blood.“I thought that was it, I was going to die.”
Domestic abuse – how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone – including men – and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
Threats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
Police arrived and rushed Kerry to Grange University Hospital. There she had 15 stitches to the 6cm deep gashes in her head.
Both her arms were put into splints and slings due to severe tissue damage. She also had bruises to her right eye lid, arms and wrist and a laceration to her middle finger.
Kerry says: “The slightest movement left me in agony.”
Back at home later that day, her sister and mum rallied around her.When her friends turned up, Kerry broke down.
She says: “Sweetly, they’d brought me presents to celebrate my birthday. One said they could have been planning my funeral instead.
“I felt lucky to be alive.”
Four days on from the attack, Kerry gave a statement to the police.Recounted all of Wiggin’s abuse. Thankfully he’d been arrested and remanded.
Six months later, Wiggins appeared at Cardiff Crown Court. He pleaded guilty to one count of GBH without intent and was allowed to walk free.
Kerry says: “His sentence was no justice. No wonder women are reluctant to come forward and report abuse. When the justice system keeps failing us.”
Just four months on, Wiggins began harassing Kerry online. Commenting on Facebook posts about his conviction and messaging her from a friend’s phone.
She says: “He’s obviously not learnt his lesson and has no remorse.
“I’m certain he’ll do it again to another woman.”
Now Wiggins has been caged, Kerry is looking forward to celebrating her next birthday, free from violence.
She says: “This year I’m planning to go on out with friends to make up for last year. I’ll never let another man lay a hands on me again.”
