We went out to celebrate one of my proudest days, but instead we ended up in hospital covered in blood
“The fear I felt in those moments is something I don’t think I’ll ever forget.
A Fylde coast business owner has spoken of her horror after she and her partner suffered an alleged assault while on an evening out.
Police are investigating the incident, which happened outside Kirkham and Wesham Cricket Club in the early evening of Saturday, July 11. As a result, Chris Simpkins was left with horrific facial injuries, as demonstrated by pictures posted by his fiancée Natasha Hallewell on social media.
And, to make matters worse, the harrowing incident followed what was, up until then, a highly successful first day at Natasha’s new babywear shop, Second Chance, in Poulton Street, Kirkham.
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“It should have been one of the happiest days of my life,” Natasha said. “After years of hard work, sacrifice, sleepless nights and pouring absolutely everything I had into Second Chance, I finally opened the doors to the shop I have dreamed about for so long.
“It was everything I’d hoped it would be and one of the proudest days of my life,” she added. “After I closed the shop doors at 6pm, Chris and I decided to go and celebrate together but I never imagined our celebration would end with us in hospital instead of at home with our girls.
“What should have been one of the happiest days of our lives became one of the hardest. Chris suffered serious injuries after being assaulted. He has been left with a broken nose, a fractured eye socket and significant facial injuries.
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“I was also assaulted and the fear I felt in those moments is something I don’t think I’ll ever forget. Seeing Chris’ face covered in blood, seeing his eye swollen shut and hearing he had a broken nose and fractured eye socket completely broke my heart.”
After her initial social media post, Natasha received many messages of support and she has issued a follow-up post of thanks to everyone who sent one. “The amount of messages, phone calls, visits and love we’ve received has been overwhelming,” she said. “Every single message has meant so much to us.”
Regarding the matter, a Lancashire Police spokesperson said: “A report of assault on a man in his 30s outside the Kirkham and Wesham Cricket Club is being investigated. No arrests have been made.”