Mandy Thomas. The woman that suffered the worst kind of abuse from a partner. Worst kind on record. Mandy is an author. Her book “You Can’t Run” details her 18 year ordeal in the hands of former partner. See that crucifix on her neck? He used to try to strangle her with it and then while abusing, pulling her long hair and dragging her naked on the floor, he’d mock and ask her “Where is your God?”
In 2014, Mandy was awarded the ‘Women of Power Award’ by Marie Hanson, CEO of STORM. She was also awarded the ‘Grace House Honour Award’ and is now Patron for ‘Breaking the Silence’ run by Raj Holness (www.btsuk.org). Today, she continues to fight for justice and her book, You Can’t Run, is a memoir of real-life horrific events, published by Penguin/Random House, which she hopes will help others in their fight.
Mandy’s book, You Can’t Run, is the moving true story of how Mandy had her mind, body and spirit crushed by an evil, calculated and manipulative man; her partner for 18 years, and how she found the strength to rebuild her life in the aftermath of one of Britain’s most horrifying domestic violence cases.
Her ex-partner, Eustace, was eventually jailed for nine years, with another six-year term to serve concurrently for rape, over his abusive behaviour, which included dragging Mandy – by her hair – naked through the house; using knives on her, and torturing her with a blowtorch. Her faith kept her alive. Even when she was being tortured by the blowtorch, her ex would mock her by saying, “Where’s your God now, huh?” and he would also strangle her with her crucifix! He was released after serving five years in prison.