A WOMAN who was slashed in the throat by her ex boyfriend has described the moment her life flashed before her eyes during the horrific attack.
Prison officer Rosie Niessen, 28, was heading to work when her former partner, Simon Scrimshaw, then 50, came up behind her after hiding in the bushes.
SWNSShocking footage shows Rosie Niessen leave her house for work as Simon Scrimshaw approaches her from behind[/caption]
SWNSScrimshaw slashed his ex partner’s throat, face, neck and hands during the savage assault[/caption]
The two started dating in in 2017
Wearing a balaclava and clutching a Stanley knife, footage shows Scrimshaw appearing from his hiding spot before running up behind Rosie.
As she reaches the end of her driveway, he is seen grabbing her and pulling back her head before hacking at her neck with a Stanley blade while wrestling her to the ground.
She can be heard screaming “what are you doing?” and “stop, help me” as the attack unfolded.
During the frenzied attack, he slashed her throat before hacking her face, neck and hands as she valiantly fought back outside the property in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire.
Rosie’s dad Roberto was alerted to his daughter’s screams and sprinted to save her before suffering a cut on his leg.
Rosie, who has a daughter with Scrimshaw, bravely released doorbell camera footage showing the horror of that morning in March 2023 to raise awareness of domestic violence.
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:
The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night
Men who are being abused can call Respect Men’s Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or ManKind on 0182 3334 244
Those who identify as LGBT+ can ring Galop on 0800 999 5428
If you are in immediate danger or fear for your life, always ring 999
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.
Scrimshaw was jailed for 28 years in January 2024 after being convicted of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm, with a further four on license.
He was also ordered not to contact Rosie and was given a lifetime restraining order.
“He hid in the bushes for 40 minutes,” she said.
“What kind of person does that? I could hear rustling. I was in shock.
“I went to turn around and he grabbed my head, pulled it back and sliced my neck.
“He took me down to the floor.”
The victim met Scrimshaw in 2017 after buying some wire from him, and said she was “charmed” by him despite their 20-year age gap.
Rosie continued: “He was very charming. He was a womanizer.
“I thought he was the best thing since sliced bread.”
The pair started an on-off relationship which ended in 2022. They had a daughter during that time.
Rosie said: “Life flashed before my eyes. It could have been different.
“Imagine if I did die or didn’t defend myself as I did. I was protecting my neck – it was instinct.”
A neighbour who witnessed the horror attack called the police and Scrimshaw was arrested by cops.
I went to turn around and he grabbed my head, pulled it back and sliced my neck.
Rosie Niessen
Rosie said: “They said I was in a pool of blood. They didn’t know if I was going to make it.”
“He’s a monster. He was damned with CCTV evidence. You can’t deny it.”
“I had to leave my job. He’s taken everything from me.
“I struggle that people think it’s acceptable to do that to someone.
“I don’t believe I’m beautiful “But I won’t give up.”
Rosie told The Sun last year that Scrimshaw had harassed and even strangled her on a previous occasion.
According to the Mail, they were due to appear at a family court two days after the attack as Rosie had applied for a court order to keep him away from her.
Rosie told the newspaper she was in “shock” and said she “could hear rustling” before Scrimshaw came at her with the blade.
Rosie’s suffered horrific injuries following the attack
The brave victim said Scrimshaw had harassed and even strangled her on a previous occasion.
SWNSScrimshaw was jailed for 28 years after being convicted of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm[/caption]
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