'I begged him to stop' - Welsh mum speaks out about terrifying attack by ex-partner

Warning - this story includes graphic images of Rebecca's injuries.

A mother-of-two has shared distressing pictures of the injuries inflicted by her ex-partner to raise awareness of domestic violence.

The images of Rebecca Mavin, 27, show her face bruised, cuts to her throat and a swollen lip.

The mother from Colwyn Bay had been attacked by ex-boyfriend Craig Pilkington, who was given a restraining order, suspended sentence and fine in court last month.

The attack happened on 10 June after the couple had argued over an issue on social media. Rebecca says Craig started attacking her after she left the car and started unlocking her door.

She said: "I begged him to stop to which he started biting my face and nose.

"I started screaming for help and at that point, he then tried to make me quiet by covering my mouth and holding my neck so hard the skin in my upper mouth had ripped."

"I've never been so scared in my life and I thought 'this is it - he's going to kill me'.

"Thankfully my neighbour from upstairs came out after hearing my 'faint' screams from beyond his hands, as he opened his door Craig swiftly got off me and walked down the side of the building.

"At that moment I ran the other way and my neighbour let me in their home and called the police. As I awaited for the police, I had no phone or keys as Craig took them with him. They found them on a road where he had thrown them as he left."

Pilkington appeared before Llandudno Magistrates on 22 October and pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating.

He received a 20 week prison sentence suspended for 18 months, was handed a restraining order and was ordered to pay a total of £920 in fines.

Rebecca is now trying to raise awareness of violence against women.

She said "People need to know that it's not acceptable for a male to hit a female and it's okay for females to speak out about it."

"Raising awareness that these things are not okay is my aim going forward, I can't take back the past but I can hopefully prevent it from happening again."

Her message comes as White Ribbon Day approaches on 25 November, a day which marks the campaign to end male violence against women and girls.

Residents, businesses, schools and community groups are being asked to sign up to the #30Challenge to raise awareness of the 30 children every day in Gwent that are affected by incidents of domestic abuse where the police are called.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, please call The Wales Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 801 0800 or reach out to the police.