Domestic abuse survivor speaks out after suffering 'worst case of abuse' judge had ever seen

Charlotte was subjected to mental and physical abuse by her partner Credit: ITV Wales

Domestic violence is an epidemic in Wales, according to the chief of Wales's biggest police force.

It takes and average of 7 years and 35 incidents before most people even come forward and report what's been happening to them.

Last year 35,000 offences were recorded by the police in Wales, but there were only 5,000 convictions.

Charlotte Rooks is a survivor who wants to change those statistics.

Charlotte Rooks' abuse at the hands of her partner was described by a judge as the worst case he had ever seen.

The violence started soon after Charlotte met Craig Thomas.

As well as extreme violence, Craig subjected her to extreme psychological abuse.

''An average day would be just to stand in the corner and have things thrown at me,'' Charlotte said.

"He'd make me eat photos of people in my family who'd died. I had a ring that he made me eat that was left to me by someone who had died.''

Charlotte was beaten with a hammer Credit: Charlotte Rooks

The abuse increased after Charlotte told him she was pregnant. By then, she felt like she was unable to leave.

She was beaten with a hammer and says she has been left with constant reminders of the torture.

''I look in the mirror and my eye doesn't shut,'' she said.

''Sometimes my mouth droops, I've got Bell's Palsy.''

Neighbours witnessed what appeared to be a man beating a woman through the window and called the police.

But police officers who visited Charlotte failed to understand the gravity of the situation.

The next day she managed to escape and phone the police.

''I was phoning the police and they just didn't get what I was trying to say,'' Charlotte said.

In an interview for Wales This Week, South Wales Police Chief Constable Matt Jukes admitted mistakes were made.

Charlotte speaks about her experience in the hope of helping others Credit: ITV Wales

Craig Thomas was sentenced to ten years for his offences against Charlotte.

Five years on from her ordeal, she has been left as a fundamentally different person. She speaks out in the hope of helping others who find themselves in a similar situation to her.

  • If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse you can contact Live Fear Free on 0808 8010 800

  • You can see more of Charlotte's story on Wales This Week, Tonight at 8:30pm on ITV Cymru Wales.