A Manchester Arena bombing survivor was left “at rock bottom” after a violent thug stormed her home, shouted “I’m going to be a terrorist” and launched a brutal attack — just as she was starting to rebuild her life.
A woman who survived the Manchester Arena terror attack has been left traumatised once again after a thug burst into her home and shouted “I’m going to be a terrorist” before brutally beating her.
Joanne Wenton was attacked in the early hours of the morning by 20-year-old Lewis Tucker, who threatened to burn her house down and r epeatedly punched and kicked her as she lay on the ground.
The terrifying ordeal unfolded at her home in Anfield, Liverpool, just as she was finally rebuilding her life after being caught up in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, which killed 22 innocent people at an Ariana Grande concert, reports LiverpoolEcho.
Tucker, who has a long criminal record, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court and was jailed for 16 months after admitting assault and criminal damage. He was also handed a five-year restraining order.
The court heard Tucker had turned up at Joanne’s house on March 28 — something he often did — and she had let him in, believing she was helping someone in need. But he suddenly “snapped”, shouting threats including: “You’re all going to be dead. I’m going to be a terrorist now, and I’m going to burn your house down.”
The words were a chilling reference to Joanne’s past. During the Manchester attack, she was knocked unconscious by the blast and struck by shrapnel while taking her 13-year-old daughter and her daughter’s friend to the concert.
This time, Tucker ran to the kitchen to grab a knife and launched a frenzied assault — punching her repeatedly before kicking her in the head and body after she fell to the floor. Even after his mother arrived and tried to intervene, he continued the brutal attack.
Tucker then wrecked her home — smashing her TV, throwing a traffic cone through her window and tearing out her fireplace.
In a heartbreaking statement, Joanne said: “I have PTSD from the Manchester bombing. I was just starting to get my life back on track, and now I’m at rock bottom. I feel terrified, stupid, and totally let down. He’s not just dangerous to me — he’s a danger to society.”
She collapsed the next day with what doctors said was severe concussion, and now lives in fear.
Tucker has 13 previous convictions for 31 offences including wounding and attempted robbery. His lawyer said he suffers from PTSD, ADHD and likely autism, and had a “very difficult upbringing” in care.
Sentencing, Recorder Louis Browne KC told him: “This was a prolonged, terrifying attack committed under the influence of alcohol. Your criminal record is troubling — especially given your young age. You posed a serious threat to someone who showed you nothing but kindness.”
Tucker appeared via video link from HMP Liverpool wearing a grey t-shirt. His mum, who was present in court, was visibly distressed and said tearfully: “I thought, when you were in court, you had to tell the truth.”
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