A new mum on her first night out after giving birth was left terrified when a crazed stranger slashed at her with a 'zombie' knife - leaving her permanently scarred. Lauren Foster, 23, was sliced open with the “horrific” weapon by stranger Joshua Clow, 18, who went “completely berserk” outside of Revival Bar, Northwich, in November 2021.
Clow first approached Lauren and her friends inside the bar asking where he could get some drugs – outraged, the girls asked him to leave them alone. Later that night, while outside in the car park, CCTV footage caught Clow charging towards Lauren with the blade in his hand – slashing at her several times on the left arm and back.
The random attack left the new mum with deep cuts across her back and arm - including a four-inch wound that needed internal and external stitches. Clow, of Brookcot Road in Manchester, appeared in Chester Crown Court in May 2022, where the judge said there could easily have been a fatality.
He was sentenced to six years in jail for wounding with intent, possession of a bladed article and assault. Despite being left permanently scarred, Lauren refused to let the events of the night "ruin" her life and has got back to normal.
Lauren, a cleaner, from Northwich, Cheshire, said: “It all happened so quickly – I didn’t realise what he was doing until it was too late. This was the first time I had been out since having a baby and then this happened.
“I didn’t know how bad it was until I looked down and I saw the white tissue from inside my arm. I don’t feel as though it was long enough for what I went through. He’ll serve around three years, but I’ll have these scars for life.”
Lauren was excited to enjoy a night out for the first time since the birth of her son, 15-month-old Jaxon, in November 2021. After a few drinks at the local Wetherspoons, the group made their way to Revival Bar to continue the fun.
But, shortly after arriving, Lauren and her friends was approached by Clow, who asked them where he could get some drugs. An argument broke out when they told him they didn’t know and Clow was led outside the premises by bouncers, where he remained by the front door.
Later that evening, when Lauren left with her friends, Clow was caught on CCTV running towards her with the ‘zombie knife’ in hand. He slashed at her four times – leaving her with cuts to her arms and back.
Lauren said: “I had no idea who he was, and we told him to leave us alone when he first approached us. I tried to ignore him outside but came running over to us.
“The bouncer tried to jump in the way, but he wasn’t fast enough. I didn’t really notice the pain – I think my adrenaline kicked in. But I instantly saw the blood and thought the worst."
Police and paramedics arrived at the scene and Lauren was taken to North Staffordshire Hospital. The mum was left with deep cuts, one of which needed internal and external stitches, and has been left with permanent scarring.
Joshua Clow was arrested and the case went to Chester Crown Court in May 2022. Clow pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years in a young offenders’ institution for wounding with intent, possession of a bladed article and assault.
In mitigation, Ryan Rothwell said Clow has had a ‘'troubled upbringing’' with ''mental health problems, and lacks maturity''. Mr Rothwell added his client shows genuine remorse and said Clow told him: “If I could take it back I would. I want the complainant to know how sorry I am.”
Since the attack, Lauren has been left “shaken” but has vowed not to let it ruin her life.
She said: “I felt as though the sentence could have been longer. The attack has left me mentally scarred as well as physically.
“I needed help to look after my son because I couldn’t move around properly. But I am determined to not let it stop me living my life. I’ve been out on nights out since and trying to get back to normal.”
