Nichola Newsham was left with painful 16% burns to her face, neck, back and legs after Claire Park – the sister of her then partner – launched the attack.

Park, jailed for three and a half years yesterday, was branded "inhuman" by a judge at Liverpool Crown Court.

But despite spending a month in hospital and being scarred for life Nichola, now 22, said: "I don't hate her.

"She made me the woman I am today. I pity her and want her to get help."
Nichola, who worked at Lancaster's Sunlight factory, revealed she had promised her former partner she would move into Park's home on Whiteway Road, Lancaster, to care for her as she had alcohol and drug problems.

She believes Park's anger at the couple's split drove her to the attack and said: "Even as I was led out by the paramedics Claire shouted 'She deserved it'."

"Before this happened I was quite vain and would not leave the house without doing my hair and make up.

"It really affected my confidence at first."

The court heard that on September 10 the two women spent the evening drinking at another woman's flat until the early hours of the morning.

About 5am Nichola woke to find her long hair had been cut off, said Jeremy Grout-Smith, prosecuting.

The victim and Park exchanged words and Miss Newsham went to the bathroom.

Mr Grout-Smith said: "Park went into the kitchen and deliberately boiled a kettle of water She entered the bathroom and poured the hot water on her (Nichola) as she sat on the toilet.

"The victim was wearing jeans and a short sleeved T-shirt, and her top clung to her as it was soaked through.

"She described the pain as excruciating and was screaming in pain.

"A neighbour described it as the sound of awful screaming."

Dazed, Nichola returned to Park's home, followed by her attacker, and lay in a bath of cold water covered by a sheet.

She was there until 7am, when a passerby heard her screams.

An ambulance arrived to find her in agony.

Nichola spent a month in the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

She said: "I made the nurses close my curtains and cover every mirror.

"Now I make myself look in the mirror twice a day because I am proud of my scars.

"My family were my strength and made me go out, even when I couldn't face the world.

"My three year old niece came to see me every day in hospital and kept saying 'It doesn't matter Auntie Nikki I still love you'."

The shop assistant has now returned to her home county of Durham and made a fresh start with her new partner.

Her hair has grown to shoulder length and her scars are fading – but she still treats them daily.

Judge Norman Wright told Park she should keep photos of Nichola's injuries with her for the rest of her life so she could see what she was capable of doing.

Park, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent.

Andrew Alty, defending, said Park, who has previous convictions including wounding, assault and affray, had a "vile and ghastly background".



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