A woman whose former boyfriend attacked her with an axe almost four years ago spoke out in court Thursday, telling a judge the traumatic experience still affects her.
"I have moved away to try and get away from the memories of where this happened," Dorothy Matsalla told Justice Martel Popescul, reading from a victim impact statement in Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench.
"I think that in time all will heal, both the physical and emotional injuries."
Albert Trevor Peters, 49, was originally charged with attempted murder, but pleaded guilty earlier this week to aggravated assault for the prolonged attack against Matsalla inside her home in Radisson on Nov. 4, 2006.
Peters, who was drunk and convinced that Matsalla was cheating on him, beat and kicked her for up to two hours, using the full-sized axe to strike her on the head, buttock and leg. Eventually, he allowed her to leave and seek help for severe cuts, broken ribs and numerous bruises.
Peters claimed to be involved with the Hells Angels and during the attack threatened to have the biker gang "take care" of her.
The Crown has given notice it intends to seek dangerous offender status for Peters, based on the severity of the incident and his past record for violence. If it succeeds, he faces an indefinite prison term.
Matsalla was unable to work for four months after the attack. She now lives in another province.
"I had to change my lifestyle from living in a small town where I never thought about locking my car or my house to have to do it and think about it all the time, even during the day when I was alone. I had feelings that someone might be around the house," she said in her statement.
"Today I still live with the reminder of what happened to me on that day. I have the ache in my side from my ribs and the non-trust of people when they get too close to me."
Every year on the anniversary of the attack, she holds a private celebration over having survived it.
"The one thing this has done is made me a stronger person; I am able to stand up for myself and to walk away when things are not right," she said.
"I know I can put this behind me and get on with my life."
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