Police issued ‘missing person’ alert for me… the whole time I was in my own home where my violent ex beat me senseless

ZOE Lee trembled with terror as her partner Mark Shiels threw her to the bed, pinned her down with his knees, and snapped her phone in two. “Why did you make me do this to you?” Shiels yelled and Zoe, terrified for her life, feared she would never see her four daughters ever again. Zoe was beaten by her vicious ex, Mark Shiels Credit: Focus Features Zoe shares a picture of her busted lip, a result of the attack by Shiels Credit: Focus Features In the assault last year which lasted hours, Shiels shockingly blamed Zoe for his violence. After an earlier brutal assault, he kept her inside his flat away from her family and she was reported missing to police. Sign up for the Fabulous newsletter Thank you! In June 2026, Shiels was jailed for 43 months with a further 17 months on licence after admitting assault occasioning actual bodily harm, criminal damage and breaching a restraining order. Zoe, 33, speaking to The Sun about the violence says: “For a long time, Mark has refused to let me move on. Now at last, with him locked away, I can see hope ahead. I want a fresh start for me and my children. I need him out of my life once and for all.” Zoe suffered a black eye in the attack Credit: Focus Features Shiels has been jailed for his attack on Zoe, which has left her with nightmares Credit: Focus Features The couple, pictured together Credit: Focus Features Zoe feels proud she finally stood up to Shiels Credit: Focus Features Zoe knew Shiels from her local area in St Helens, Merseyside, and they started dating in 2019. She says: “I had two little girls from a previous relationship and Mark was really good with them. “He took us on days out, just walking in the fields or paddling in the stream, but it was nice. “We went away in a campervan on holidays. I trusted him completely because we’d grown up in the same neighbourhood. He was 10 years older than me and I looked up to him, I thought I could rely on him.” Most read in Fabulous When the lockdown came in 2020, Shiels moved in. Zoe quickly fell pregnant and the cracks in their relationship began to show. She says: “Mark was very jealous and I thought it was because he was older, and maybe insecure, but it didn’t improve. “I tried to finish it, but he wouldn’t leave me alone. And it wasn’t that simple because I was pregnant with his baby. I hated his behaviour, but I wanted a family for my unborn child.” Their daughter was born in November 2020 and Zoe hoped this might be a new start. But her misery continued. She says: “He’d tell me I was to blame every time he lost his temper, and I started to think he was right. I lost all my confidence.” Two years on, they had another daughter together, but, into 2025, Mark became increasingly violent. Zoe says: “I was looking after four children, trying to run a home and cope with daily domestic abuse. It was really hard. “He was arrested for assaulting me and ordered to stay away. But he came straight back and I was powerless to stop him.” In September 2025, Shiels attacked Zoe, bruising her face and giving her a black eye. Afterwards, he took away her phone and kept her in his flat. Her family became so concerned at the lack of contact from her that they called the police. Zoe says: “There was an appeal in the local media. I was listed as a missing person. When Mark saw the missing report, he let me go and I went straight to hospital to be treated. “My eldest daughter turned 18 and I couldn’t attend her party because my face was so swollen and bruised. I was at rock bottom. “Again, I tried to leave Mark, but he wouldn’t let me. I was completely controlled by him.” In November, Shiels launched the attack, bursting Zoe’s lip and leaving her with a black eye and severe cuts and bruises. She says: “I had been to see my family, but Mark was controlling. We went inside and I had a small red mark on my neck where my coat was scratching me. Mark shone a torch onto my neck, inspecting me, and it felt so invasive. “He worked himself up into a rage, hitting me, elbowing me and kicking me. He took away my phone, which was out of battery anyway. “He wouldn’t let out of his sight, not even to go to the bathroom. It was so humiliating and degrading. “He snapped my phone in half, pinned me onto the bed, and shouted: ‘Why do you make me do this to you?’ “I thought he was going to kill me in there. I was so frightened I would never see my four daughters again. “At one point, I managed to get out, and I ran to a phone box to call 999 but I saw Mark running down the street towards me and I hung up.” During the night, Zoe managed to slip out to the next-door flat, but Mark followed and brought her back. Early the next morning, she escaped again and was able to call for help from a phone box. Hours after her nightmare began, Shiels was arrested and Zoe was taken to hospital where she spent three days recovering. She says: “I knew that had to be the turning point. My children were devastated. I was so badly injured, I felt dreadful. “I’ve had terrible nightmares of him attacking me, I worry all the time about him finding me. I’ve had to move to a new town, to start again. Even when I see people with red hair, like him, I have flashbacks. “He’s done his best to ruin my life completely.” In June 2026, Liverpool Crown Court heard that Shiels, 43, has 17 previous convictions for 23 offences, including two earlier convictions for battery against Zoe. He was later jailed for 43 months with 17 months on licence. Zoe says: “I am so relieved it’s over. This is my time to rebuild, for me and my daughters. I’ve started my own business in aesthetics and I’m slowly getting my confidence back. “It frightens me that Mark controlled me for so long, but I also feel very proud that I stood up to him at last. I hope my story can give others the courage to do the same.” 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. Comment now