Mum slashed open by zombie knife 'relieved' by weapon's ban

Lauren Foster, 24, was slashed open by the ‘horrific’ weapon when Joshua Clow, 18, went ‘completely berserk’ outside of the former Revival Bar in Northwich in November 2021.

On Tuesday (September 24) it became illegal to posses ‘zombie-style’ knives and machetes in England and Wales – weapons with blades over eight inches (20cm) in length, normally with a serrated cutting edge.

Speaking on the new legislation, Lauren, a cleaner, from Northwich, Cheshire, said: “It's a joke that it has taken this long.

"This is a law that definitely should've been in place anyway and I'm glad and relieved they're finally doing it to stop things like this happening.

"I think it could help to deter people from committing and involving themselves in these types of crime.

"But I feel like there are always people who are still going to break the law.

"Although it may not be that common for things like this to happen, I will always be wary of my surroundings."

READ MORE: "I'm left with scars for life" - 'Zombie' knife victim speaks out as attacker is jailed

Lauren Foster (Image: SWNS)

Lauren was excited to enjoy a night out for the first time since the birth of her son, Jaxon.

Shortly after arriving at Revival Bar, Lauren and her friends were 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 deep cuts to her arms and back, one of which needed internal and external stitches, and permanent scarring.

Lauren 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.”

Lauren was slashed at four times by Clow (Image: SWNS)

In 2022, Clow was sentenced to six years in a young offenders’ institution for wounding with intent, possession of a bladed article and assault.

Since the attack, Lauren has been left “shaken” but has vowed not to let it ruin her life. 

“I don’t feel as though it was long enough for what I went through,” she said.

“The attack has left me mentally scarred as well as physically. 

"But I'm determined to not let it stop me from living my life.”

Joshua Clow was sentenced to six years in prison (Image: SWNS)

The new legislation that came into effect this week closes a legal loophole and makes it an imprisonable offence to own, make, transport or sell a wide range of blades.