Rossendale Free Press

Horrific 51 injuries as Sadie fought off attack

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BUSINESSWO­MAN Sadie Hartley suffered 51 injuries trying to fight off her attacker, a court has heard.

Dr Lumb told the jury there was evidence that the stun gun had been pushed against the left side of Ms Hartley’s head.

She also suffered 24 stab wounds and 17 slash wounds to the face, head, neck, chest, back, arms and right leg.

They included wounds to the depth of nearly 8in (20cm) – up to the hilt of the kitchen knife allegedly used by Miss Williams.

Ms Hartley suffered deep stab wounds to her face, one of which went through her face and out the other side, with a similar wound to her neck, which cut a main artery.

Her tongue and spinal column was also cut by the blade and the tip had penetrated her right eye. There were further injuries to both hands and arms, with the blade going right through her right thumb and right arm, which Dr Lumb said were “typical” defence wounds from fighting off a knife attacker.

He added: “Almost certainly there’s been an effort to defend against a knife attack.”

One injury to Ms Hartley’s back was described as 8in or 20cm deep, which sliced her liver and almost emerged in the front of her chest. Some of the injuries would have required “considerab­le force” to inflict, Dr Lumb said.

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