Man left covered in blood after brutal attack by ex-boyfriend
A man named Viktor Fothergill, 26, was left “covered in blood” and had to escape to seek help after a vicious assault by his ex-partner, Christopher Nicholls. The attack occurred in January 2023, leaving Viktor with bloody injuries to his hands. The incident propelled Viktor to flee the flat in nothing but his underwear, running down four flights of stairs and knocking on doors to find assistance.
- Viktor sustained bloody injuries to his hands during the assault.
- He managed to escape the flat wearing only his underwear.
- The ex-boyfriend, Christopher Nicholls, 28, was initially charged with Section 18 wounding with intent.
- Nicholls later pleaded guilty to the less severe charge of unlawful wounding.
- He received a suspended sentence of 21 months and 150 hours of community service.
Upon learning that Nicholls received a suspended sentence instead of jail time, Viktor expressed feeling let down by the justice system. Despite Nicholls’ guilty plea, the case did not go to trial, adding to Viktor’s disappointment. He criticized the sentence as inadequate and highlighted the challenges of proving intent in court, which influenced the decision to accept the lesser charge.
“It was horrific. I was covered in blood but I managed to find my way out to someone who could call the police. When you’re in the middle of it you don’t realize how bad things are until you find your way out. There was so much manipulation – it’s a lot harder for me to trust people now.” – Viktor Fothergill
Viktor, who hails from Birmingham, emphasized the need for better support for victims of abuse throughout the legal process. Despite feeling disappointed with the outcome, Viktor praised the CPS staff for their professionalism but maintained that his ex-partner deserved a harsher punishment.
- Abuse in same-sex relationships needs more awareness.
- Victims require better support throughout the legal process.
- The justice system should provide adequate punishment for offenders.
By sharing his story, Viktor aims to shed light on domestic abuse within same-sex relationships, challenging stereotypes and emphasizing that abuse can occur in any relationship dynamic. He hopes to support other victims and raise awareness about the different forms abuse can take, advocating for improved support systems and resources for those impacted.
“When people picture an abusive relationship, they usually picture a heterosexual relationship with a helpless girl and an abusive partner – but that’s not always the case. Abuse can take lots of different forms, it could be girl on guy, guy on guy, or girl on girl. Abuse can happen to anyone in any relationship, you never know when it’s going to happen.” – Viktor Fothergill
Nicholls, who pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding, received a suspended 21-month sentence and a five-year restraining order. The Crown Prosecution Service reinforced the severity of breaching the restraining order, stating that any attempt by Nicholls to contact the victim could result in up to five years in prison. Through his harrowing experience, Viktor hopes to spark conversations about abuse, encourage support for victims, and advocate for justice within the legal system.