'My obsessive ex smashed me over the head with a claw hammer after luring me to a remote location'

Chloe Coehlo thought she was going to die as blood poured from her head

She thought her partner was just joking as they sat down to watch Netflix psychological thriller You. Chloe James turned to her other half Chloe Coehlo and said ""If you ever finish with me I'll turn into him" - a reference to the show's unhinged lead character whose obsession with a woman turns violent.

But fast forward to two years later after their relationship had ended, Ms Coehlo had blood pouring from her head after being savagely attacked by James. The 21-year-old had been lured to an isolated location under the pretence of being given a surprise when James hit her with a claw hammer.

Ms Coehlo said: ""We went for a walk and got back to our cars. She begged me to go for a drive and tried to kiss me and told me she loved me. But I pushed her away and told her it was over between us for good.

"She told me she had something in her car for me but was embarrassed to give it to me. Then she told me to close my eyes. Seconds later I felt this searing pain in my head - like my skull was being smashed in.

"I fell to the ground and could see she had a claw hammer in her hand. I was covered in my own blood. I thought I was going to die."

The horrific attack came two years after the couple had been watching hit Netflix series You together. The show revolves around Joe Goldberg, played by Gossip Girl actor Penn Badgley. In the series, book store manager Goldberg becomes obsessed with aspiring writer Guinevere Beck and attacks her partner with a hammer.

Ms Coehlo said James made a comment about what would ever happen if their relationship ended, thinking the comment was just a joke.

She added: "I now realise Chloe she was being serious that night we watched You."

Previously, a court heard that the attack took place in September 2020 in an isolated spot near Llangennech in Carmarthenshire. The location was suggested by James so her ex could walk the defendant's dog, Ted, one more time, and personal items could be exchanged.

The court heard Ted had his walk but then James began trying to cuddle her ex who responded by telling her she had to go. It was then that James came up with her devious plan and tricked her ex into turning around. Andwhen Ms Coehlo's back was turned, James retrieved a claw hammer from the boot and hit her on the head with it a number of times. By chance another car drove down the quiet lane where the pair had parked and, despite attempts by James to stop her, the victim was able to run to the car and ask the couple inside for help.

Ms Coehlo was taken to Prince Phillip Hospital where she was treated for bruising to the ears and a series of lacerations to her scalp. A CT scan, thankfully, showed no skull fractures.

In her police interview , James, of Heol Amman, Glanamman, Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, refused to answer questions. Instead she have officers a prepared statement claiming she had been acting in self-defence. She stuck by her story, until on the day of her trial when she suddenly changed her plea - and admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Recorder Christian Jowett said he was satisfied from everything he had read in a pre-sentence that the term of imprisonment which was due could be properly suspended. With a 10% for her guilty plea James was sentenced to 22 months in prison suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to complete a rehabilitation course and to pay her victim £750 in compensation.

Ms Coehlo said: "I was utterly devastated when she got a suspended sentence. It was an absolute joke. I felt like I had been assaulted all over again."

However, while the physical scars of the attack may have healed, the psychological ones have not, she added.

"She was obsessed with me. I now have constant headaches and horrible flashbacks of that night, and trusting someone again has been very, very difficult," she said. "I paid a high price for having a relationship with her. I am just glad I am still alive."