Natalie Arthurs, a mother of one, was enjoying a night out with a friend at Peppermint bar in Swansea, Wales, when her life changed forever. As she was reapplying her makeup in the bar’s bathroom, a complete stranger entered with a broken glass and began slashing at her face.
Arthurs recalls hearing an angry voice before she was suddenly struck by the glass. The impact of the glass cut her face deeply, and she could see her own blood and cheek hanging off in the mirror. Her friend screamed in terror as the attacker continued to slash at her, hitting her shoulder and chest. Arthurs tried to defend herself until the club’s doormen intervened and removed the attacker.
After the attack, Arthurs was taken to Morriston Hospital in Swansea, where she underwent a four-hour operation on her face. More than a year later, her attacker, Emily Williams, 25, from Carmarthenshire, was jailed for five years for the assault.
Arthurs says the attack has had a profound impact on her life. She still has constant flashbacks and nightmares, and she no longer feels safe working alone in large buildings full of people. She has been unable to return to her job as a cleaner and worries that she will never feel beautiful again.
Arthurs’ story highlights the devastating impact of glassing attacks and the need for increased safety measures in nightclubs. She is now campaigning for all drinks in clubs to be served in plastic cups to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
