A survivor bravely faced her attacker Lee James Mullen in court, declaring he “won’t win” after he was jailed for life.
Mullen, 38, from Church Street, Flint, repeatedly punched the woman in a hospital bathroom at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. The judge praised her courage and dignity for reading her statement.
The woman, in her 60s, gave a moving statement and credited her husband with saving her when he knocked on the toilet door, preventing further harm from Mullen. She described her husband as her hero, noting the ordeal’s profound impact on her life.
She revealed she once felt strong, but now feels broken and hospitals now trigger fear. A place she should feel safe. Public restrooms are now avoided, with her husband guarding her during toilet trips. She returned to work quickly, wanting to deny Mullen a victory.
Desiring her old self back, she feels that person is lost. Always prioritizing others, she wished this happened to her, not someone more vulnerable, like a frail 90-year-old or a child with their whole life ahead of them.
Her greatest desire is to prevent further suffering. She promised to rise again and refused to let Mullen win. After the police apprehended him, she told her family that a “nasty man” hurt her, but he would face justice.
Her husband shared his feelings of lost trust in the world, not realizing such people existed. The event changed their lives forever, creating guilt for not being able to protect his wife, never expecting such a thing at the hospital.
He recalled the night he called their daughter, eliciting a reaction of fear and distress, unlike any he had ever heard from her. The night’s events defied imagination. He is relieved that Mullen was caught and will be held accountable.
He believes Mullen is a dangerous individual. The judge directly addressed Mullen, stating that alcohol and drugs lead to a loss of control, causing him to act upon his sexual urges.
The judge called Mullen’s actions a “frenzied” act. Mullen himself feels disgusted and ashamed the attack was performed, stemming from sexual premediation before the attack. The Parole Board will decide his release, and he will remain in custody until then. There is no guarantee of release, and if freed, he will be on license for life.