A SURVIVOR of domestic violence left in “torturous” pain after an “unprovoked” attack at the hands of her jealous partner has urged others to find the courage to leave controlling relationships.

Clare Bouwman feared she was going to die when Cain Donald began his violent rampage against her outside Bicester’s The Saxon pub last December.

The 21-year-old now faces the rest of her life with a permanent titanium plate screwed to her jaw after a two-hour operation on Christmas Day.

She bravely faced her attacker at Oxford Crown Court, taking a huge sigh of relief as her ex-partner-of-five-years was jailed for six years and eight months.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail, Miss Bouwman said she now feels justice has been served, adding: “I feel relieved. I feel like there was an imaginary weight and it just up and left.

“It was a life lesson that unfortunately I had to take part in. Now I’m just going to focus on loving myself and getting to know myself better.

“I would hate for any other woman to end up how I ended up. I would have rather left two years ago, be a bit heartbroken and gotten over it, than be beaten up and have to live with this for the rest of my life.”

Supt Colin Paine, head of Thames Valley Police’s protecting vulnerable people department, said victims of domestic violence should not suffer in silence or live in fear and is urging them to speak out to help bring perpetrators to justice.

He said: “Domestic abuse can take many forms - physical, emotional, financial or mental - and they can involve partners, ex-partners or family members.

“I would urge victims of domestic abuse, or anyone who has information about domestic abuse to contact us. I can assure you that we will investigate the matter sensitively, support and keep you safe throughout the process. No-one should have to suffer in silence.”

Det Sgt James Holden-White, from Thames Valley Police’s domestic abuse investigation unit at Banbury police station, said Donald of Arthray Road, Oxford, committed a “sustained and entirely unprovoked attack” on his victim.

He added: “So often in cases of domestic violence victims and witnesses do not feel confident to challenge inappropriate behaviour or do not wish to get involved, often resulting in further incidents.

“It is therefore reassuring that with the victim and witnesses supporting a prosecution in this case, Donald had little option but to enter a guilty plea and has been held to account for his behaviour.”

Former Bicester Community College student Miss Bouwman said she decided it was time to escape from her relationship with Donald when she left home to study in America last year.

While back home in Bicester on Christmas Eve last year, Donald turned up at Miss Bouwman’s house to deliver a card but she said she shut the door in his face.

Believing the pair should be civil, she re-opened the door and told Donald she would be catching up with school friends at The Saxon – where she expected he would also be.

But she said Donald, 20, spent the entire evening “hanging around” her, close by whenever she turned her head.

The court heard tragedy struck when Donald became “jealous” after spotting Miss Bouwman exchanging numbers with a man. He headbutted him before being thrown out of the pub.

She later left the pub, guarded by friends, at about 2.30am when Donald leaped towards her, trying to talk to her and separating her from the others.

Cathy Olliver, prosecuting, said Donald punched Miss Bouwman to the face, knocking her to the ground.

Miss Bouwman said she remembers Donald being dragged off her and a witness cradling her in their arms before being rushed to hospital in floods of tears, her head “throbbing” in pain.

During sentencing, Ms Olliver told the court Donald also kicked his victim in the face as she lay on the ground after breaking free from men who tried to “rugby tackle” him to the floor.

Convinced she was going to die, Miss Bouwman said she asked medics if she would survive the ordeal, which left her on a two-week liquid diet.

She could not face herself in the mirror after the attack, which came two weeks before her 21st birthday. She added: “The first couple of months were torture.

“I could barely open my mouth. I was in a pit of sadness I could not crawl out of. I just looked at myself and cried. My Christmas was ruined, my birthday was ruined.”

She was discharged from hospital on Boxing Day.

She said nothing will erase the horrific memories of the violent assault but said: “[I would say to other women] leave while you have the chance.”

Gareth James, defending Donald, told the court the defendant, who had no previous convictions, was bound to regret the attack for the rest of his life.

He said Donald told officers he could not remember what happened but was distressed by what police said he did.

Sentencing, Recorder Patrick Hamlin described Donald as a controlling man who was unable to control his emotions after drinking alcohol and taking cocaine on the night.

He added: “The concern is for women in the future. You undoubtedly pose a risk of harm to future partners.”

Donald was also handed an indefinite restraining order and must pay a victim surcharge.