My husband never touched me until I asked for a divorce – I woke to him smothering me before he stabbed me in the head

JOLTING awake Shahla Walker desperately tried to catch her breath – someone was on top of her smothering her face with a pillow. Fearing for her life, she desperately began screaming for her husband, Nezam Ghalate but as she called out something sharp hit her head, then, again in her face. It was a knife. Shahla had been married to her husband for more than three decades before the savage attack Credit: True Life Stories The two married in 1995 and initially, they had a happy marriage Credit: True Life Stories But it wasn’t an intruder – it was Shahla’s husband of over 30 years trying to brutally slaughter her after their marriage fell apart. Shahla’s screams woke their 18-year-old daughter who struck her father with a lamp and eventually resorted to stabbing him in the head in a desperate effort to save her mum. Sign up for the Fabulous newsletter Thank you! By miracle, Shahla survived the gruesome attack, but was left with 14 stab wounds to her face and neck, as well as a broken arm. Nezam has recently pleaded guilty to attempted murder and he has been sentenced to 20 years at Newcastle-upon-Tyne Crown Court. By miracle, Shahla survived the gruesome attack, but was left with 14 stab wounds to her face and neck, as well as a broken arm Credit: True Life Stories Shahla’s screams woke their 18-year-old daughter who struck her father with a lamp and eventually resorted to stabbing him in the head in a desperate effort to save her mum Credit: True Life Stories Shahla, who has been left unable to work, said: “That night will haunt me for the rest of my life. I still can’t believe my husband of 25 years tried to murder me. But I’m determined to stay strong for my girls.” Shahla and Nezam married in 1995 and initially, they had a happy marriage. Shahla says: “But as time went on, the life we’d built together wasn’t good enough for him and he became miserable. “Years later, he developed severe anxiety. It was so bad that he’d shake me in the night claiming someone was in the garden but there was never anyone there. Most read in Fabulous “I was so worried about him.” In 2000, Shahla pushed Nezam to go to the GP and he was put on anxiety medication. During the next few years, the couple went on to have two daughters, now both aged 12 and 18. Shahla says: “The pressure of providing not only as a husband, but also a father got to Nezam. Yet he could never find a job, and I was busy caring for our children. “His mental health got worse and whenever I left the house, he’d call and text me constantly begging me to come home. He also stopped taking his tablets and going to his doctor’s appointments.” Nezam has recently pleaded guilty to attempted murder and he has been sentenced to 20 years at Newcastle-upon-Tyne Crown Court Credit: True Life Stories A shocking photo reveals the area where Nezam had stabbed Shahla in the head Credit: True Life Stories As years went by, Nezam accused Shahla of having affairs and began self-medicating with marijuana and alcohol. Shahla says: “We argued non-stop. Whenever I threatened to leave him, he’d fall into a deep depression. He’d warn me that he was going to jump off a bridge if I ever left him and it broke my heart. “I told him constantly that he couldn’t do that to me or the girls. I was trapped. After I gave him another chance, he’d promise to get help but he never did. “As the girls got older and wiser, they grew concerned too and urged me to end things.” In January 2022, Shahla hit her breaking point and told Nezam she wanted a divorce. Shahla says: “Nezam just stared at me blankly and didn’t say anything. “It was our eldest daughter’s 18th birthday the next day, so I told him we’d tell the girls the day after.” The next day, Shahla took her daughter out for her birthday lunch before returning home in the evening. Nezam was watching TV in silence, while her other daughter was doing her homework. Domestic abuse - how to get help DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone - including men - and does not always involve physical violence. Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship: Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to Threats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten. Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent. If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers: The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night Men who are being abused can call Respect Men’s Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or ManKind on 0182 3334 244 Those who identify as LGBT+ can ring Galop on 0800 999 5428 If you are in immediate danger or fear for your life, always ring 999 Remember, you are not alone. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime. Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse. Shahla told Nezam was she going to sleep, and she went upstairs to bed. Hours later, she woke up to someone trying to murder her. As she begged the person to stop, Nezam suddenly heart her eldest daughter’s voice yelling: “Please Daddy stop it! Mummy loves you.’’ “I realised it was Nezam. I couldn’t comprehend it.” Moments later, Nezam struck Shahla in the head with the knife again and she fought for her life. While he stabbed her in the neck, shoulders and head, their daughter pleaded with him to stop. Nezam told his daughter, ‘She doesn’t love. I want to kill her. She makes me crazy.’ Desperate to save her mum, she began hitting Nezam with lamps and objects around the bedroom. She ran to the kitchen to get a knife and resorted to stabbing her father in the head. Meanwhile, Shahla and Nezam’s younger daughter, who was awoken by the commotion, was on the phone to emergency services. Shahla says: “As Nezam was stabbed, he groaned and collapsed to the floor. I could finally breathe. But as I tried to run, he grabbed me again. “We scuffled and he pressed a pillow onto my face again, but this time with his knees. I knew I was going to die. “But my daughter’s voice telling me to stay with her, kept me alive.” Moments later, Shahla blacked out but police and paramedics stormed in and pulled Nezam off Shahla. Shahla was blue-lighted to Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospital where she underwent an emergency nine-hour surgery. Luckily, she survived but she was left with 14 stab wounds to her head, shoulders and neck, a broken arm and she needed a blood transfusion. Nezam was also admitted to the same hospital with stab wounds, but his injuries weren’t serious and he was swiftly arrested. Shahla says: “As I recovered in hospital, I was hysterical. I didn’t understand how my husband could try to murder me. He’d never laid a finger on me before. My heart ache was worse than my wounds. “When I saw my reflection, I didn’t recognise myself. I was black and blue.” In October 2022, Nezam Ziae Ghalate, now 53, of Gateshead, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to attempted murder at Newcastle-upon-Tyne Crown Court. He was sentenced to 20 years. Shahla says: “I was relieved he was locked away and so were the girls. They never wanted to see their dad again and neither did I. I’ve since developed PTSD and my face, jaw and hands aren’t back to normal. “I have physio every week and I hide my scars with make-up and hair. “I’m trying to concentrate on being the best mum I can now. I’ll forever be thankful to the girls for saving my life.”