Woman ‘grateful to be alive’ after Berkhamsted assault

A woman says she is ‘grateful to be alive’ after an assault in Berkhamsted left her fighting sepsis and a flesh-eating infection in hospital.

She has chosen to share her story following the sentencing of her attacker.

At around 1am on Monday 6 May last year, the victim was out with a group of friends on the High Street after returning from a weekend away in Brighton.

The victim and her friends were waiting for a lift home when they were approached by an older group of men.

A drink was poured on one of the women, leading to an altercation where three members of the group were assaulted.

One, aged 19, was assaulted and lost consciousness. She was admitted to intensive care the following day after suffering a severe bacterial arm infection, with doctors warning her parents that saving the limb might not be possible.

Without urgent medical intervention, she was told she could have died.

The two other victims, both aged 18, sustained injuries from the assault.

Following an investigation into the incident, James Egan, aged 30 and of Granville Road in Northchurch, Berkhamsted, was arrested and charged with GBH, ABH and common assault. He pled guilty to the offences.

At St Albans Magistrates’ Court on Monday 31 March, Egan was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years. He was also made subject to a 91-day alcohol abstinence requirement, a six-month daily curfew between 7pm to 6am, a mental health treatment requirement for six months, a 25-day rehabilitative activity and ordered to pay £5,300 in compensation.

Following the sentence, the victim said: “It’s been a really hard and long process that no-one should have to go through, but I’m grateful to be alive and have my arm.

“It was also hard seeing what he put the people around me through, especially my family and my partner. Now that he has been sentenced at court I can hopefully start to move on.”

Her friend added: “I’m glad it’s over now and that he’s got what he deserves for what he put me and especially my friend through.”

Detective Constable Karen Jordan, from the Dacorum Local Crime Unit, said: “This was a particularly distressing and harrowing case. The victims have been so brave in what has been a life changing incident. This was a totally unprovoked attack.

“I hope now that Egan has pleaded guilty and sentenced at court that the girls can start to put this terrible incident behind them, although I’m sure that night will live with them for some time.”