Victim of 'zombie' knife attack in Northwich speaks out

“HE’LL only serve around three years, but I have been left with these scars for life.”

The victim of a terrifying knife attack in Northwich has spoken out after her attacker was sentenced to six years at Chester Crown Court on May 25.

Joshua Clow, 18, of Brookcot Road in Manchester, repeatedly slashed Lauren Foster with a zombie knife outside Revival Bar in November 2021, leaving her with deep cuts, in need of stitches and permanent scarring.

On the evening of November 12, she had been in the bar with two friends when Clow went over to them and asked where he could get drugs, causing an argument to break out when they said they didn’t know.

Later that evening, when Lauren left the bar, CCTV images show Clow running with a blade in his hand.

Some of Lauren's injuries

He performs four slashing movements, striking Lauren – despite the security officers’ attempts to hold him back.

She needed stitches in her arm and back.

Lauren recalled: “I didn’t have a clue what had happened until I looked down at my arm and could see all the white tissue.

“I didn’t really feel it until after I had my stitches.”

At the time, Lauren’s son was only six months old and because of her injuries, a friend had to stay with her to help take care of him.

Despite the ordeal, Lauren said she has since accepted what happened and is moving on.

Lauren Foster during happier times

During Clow’s sentencing hearing, an apology was read out.

It read, 'If I could take it back I would. I want the complainant to know how sorry I am'.

Lauren added: “I feel that doesn’t change anything whatsoever.”