A woman captured the chilling incident where her former partner viciously attacked her with a Stanley knife as she was leaving for work. Rosie Niessen, 28, a prison officer, was ambushed by Simon Scrimshaw, 50, who slashed her throat and inflicted severe injuries on her face, neck, and hands in a violent assault. Rosie’s father, Roberto Niessen, 55, a doorman, intervened upon hearing her cries, but not before sustaining a deep cut to his leg.
Scrimshaw was convicted of attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm in January 2024, receiving a 28-year prison sentence from Nottingham Crown Court. Rosie, now residing in Hucknall and unemployed, recounted the traumatic event where Scrimshaw lay in wait for her, emerging from the bushes and launching the brutal attack.
Their tumultuous relationship began in 2017 when Rosie, then 21, met Scrimshaw at a scrapyard where he sold her wire. Despite the age gap, she was enamored by his charm. They had a daughter together, but the relationship ended shortly after, only to be rekindled in 2018 before finally breaking up in 2022.
Just days before the assault, both Rosie and Scrimshaw were scheduled to appear in family court due to Rosie seeking a restraining order against him. On the fateful morning of March 14, 2023, Scrimshaw donned a balaclava and attacked Rosie as she left for work, prompting her father to intervene.
Following his arrest, Scrimshaw stood trial and was found guilty based on CCTV evidence, leading to his lengthy prison sentence. Rosie, facing physical and emotional scars, expressed her struggles post-attack, including her inability to return to work.
Despite the ordeal, Rosie remains resilient and aims to inspire other victims of domestic violence, urging them to stay strong and not tolerate any form of abuse. The judge imposed a lifetime restraining order on Scrimshaw, prohibiting him from contacting Rosie, who continues to cope with the aftermath of the traumatic incident.