A THUG who brutally assaulted a 53-year-old widow outside a pub, before callously finishing his pint as his victim was rushed to hospital, has been fined just £400 for the horrendous attack.

Mum-of-three Teresa Knowles was left with a broken cheekbone, fractured jaw, two black eyes and a damaged retina in the assault outside the Cyns Tavern, Little Hulton, Manchester.

But despite launching the unprovoked attack, Dale Powell, 50, walked free from court with just a fine.

Teresa, who says she lives in "constant fear" of meeting her assailant in the street, said: "The psychological trauma is even worse than the physical injuries.

"My life has completely changed since the attack.

"I used to be outgoing and loved socialising with my friends.

"But now I live in constant fear that I'll meet Dale in the street.

"I've had to leave my home of ten years because I'm scared he'll find me and attack again.

"After everything I've been through, I'm furious at the court's sentence."

Powell launched the unprovoked attack in May 2016 as revenge for being humiliated after he was barred from the pub for attacking Teresa's youngest son Ross, 24.

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As Teresa entered the pub to meet a friend, he knocked her unconscious, beating her black and blue.

Teresa said: "When I came round, I felt dizzy and confused.

"I remember seeing a man standing over me and he was wearing a red shirt.

"It was only after a few minutes that I realised it was red because it was drenched in my blood."

Teresa was rushed by ambulance to Bolton Royal Hospital where she received treatment, including four stitches over her right eye.

While Teresa was in hospital, Powell returned to the pub to finish his drink, and was later arrested by the police.

She said: "The days after the attack were awful.

"When I first looked in the mirror, I didn't recognise myself.

"I left my house immediately and went to stay with my son Lee.

"I wasn't going to risk seeing Dale again.

"A week after the attack, I went to see my friend while her four-year-old granddaughter was visiting.

"The little girl knows me well but she screamed and ran upstairs when she saw me.

"I felt like a monster."

Powell pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm when he appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court in September 2016.

But, despite the extent of Teresa's injuries, the brute was fined just £400 and ordered to pay £100 compensation, a victim surcharge and court costs.

The sentence came as a devastating blow to unemployed Teresa, who was forced to move house and change her appearance after the attack.

Since the attack, Teresa, who was widowed 14 years ago, has relied on the support of her three sons Ross, Lee, 34 and Thomas, 28, to help her recover.

She said: "My sons have been amazing to me since the attack.

"They visit me whenever they can, and Ross even gave me his German Rottweiler, Ben, to help me feel safe.

"I get threats from Dale's mates on the phone sometimes and still have nightmares every night about the attack – the slightest noise terrifies me.

"I've been left with blurred vision in my left eye and I see bursts of light like fireworks sometimes.

"The nerve damage from the attack means I can't feel the left side of my face either.

"I can't believe I have to go through this while Dale walks practically free.

"All I want is for him to know what he's done, so that he never forgets it for the rest of his life."

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