Paul Filtness has spoken of the impact he suffered after being brutally attacked by a stranger
(Picture: Essex Police)A dad-of-two slashed across the face by a stranger “for no reason” while on a night out has spoken about the lasting impact of the attack.
Paul Filtness suffered a life-changing facial injury in the “violent and unprovoked” assault at Bentley’s Bar in Clacton, in the early hours of Feburary 10, 2019.
Stranger Zac Jagger, 27, hit him across the face while his back was turned using a sharp belt wrapped around his wrist.
Police rushed to the scene to find Mr Filtness - who had been on a night out with a friend - with a serious slash wound to his face.
He received urgent hospital treatment, but the injury proved life-changing.
Three years on, Mr Filtness’ wound has healed but still causes him pain, while he struggles with the emotional fall-out of his ordeal.
“I know that I’m really lucky,” he said. “ The feeling is coming back in my face and my speech hasn’t been affected, but every time I look in the mirror, I’m reminded of what happened.
“What people can’t always see is the mental impact it’s had. I became really unwell the year after it happened and still have regular counselling to help with my mental health.
“Having to explain to my children that their dad was attacked on a night out for no reason has been heart-breaking.”
While investigating the attack, Essex Police found Jagger had also driver a car at a group of people in November 2021 after an altercation in Orwell Road, Clacton - leaving a young woman injured and needing hospital attention.
On February 14 this year, Jagger plead guilty to two counts of wounding with intent, affray, dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice at Chelmsford Crown Court.
“I’m under no illusion – I know Jagger didn’t admit to attacking me to do the right thing,” said Mr Filtness.
“My life has been on pause for nearly three years and he could have owned up at any point.
“To this day, I still ask myself why anyone would leave the house carrying a weapon other than to hurt someone. I just can’t imagine what type of person would ever make that decision.
“I still have to get up and go to work every day, carry on and put what happened to me aside, but that didn’t even enter Jagger’s mind when he attacked me.”
On August 10, Jagger, of Alton Park Road, Clacton, was sentenced to six years imprisonment and an additional four on extended license for the two violent attacks.
Mr Filtness said that although no sentence would ever make up for his attack, he is thankful Jagger will serve time in prison.
“I’m glad we’ve finally reached a conclusion, but I don’t think any amount of time will make up for what he did to me, or what he did to anyone else,” he said.
“I don’t want this to define me and I don’t want Jagger to take away any more of my life.
“Now I can focus on healing mentally and being the best dad I can be to my two kids, who are my world.”
Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Dan Jeffries described Jagger’s attack as “truly violent and unprovoked”.
”He assaulted a complete stranger enjoying his night out with a friend,” he said.
“His actions left Paul with life-long physical and emotional injuries, which rippled out to his family and friends and left a lasting impact on the Clacton community.
“I want to thank him for his strength and determination in supporting this case through to the courts, and I know he will want to thank his friends and family for their support.
“I hope this allows Paul to start the next chapter in his life, knowing that the person responsible is behind bars.”
