A YOUNG woman who was savagely beaten and left scarred by her boyfriend is fighting back to live out her dream of becoming a beauty queen.
UK woman Chanttelle Ward thought her entire top lip was ripped off when ex boyfriend, Rhys Culley, bit through it during the attack last year.
The Mirror reports that Culley, who was jailed for 8 years after being foung guilty of the attack, went mental after she ended their relationship.
Chanttell suffered severe injuries during the 30 minute ordeal including a badly bitten lip, bruising and extensive scratches to the head.
In the months following the attack Ward became somewhat of a recluse, too frightened to go outside because of the permanent scaring.
But she’s now turned her life around and has entered a beauty pageant called ‘Miss North East GB’ in the hope of encouraging other victims of domestic abuse not to hide away like she did.
“I don’t want a sympathy vote but I want to prove that it hasn’t ruined my life,†she told The Mirror.
“I want to show other girls that have been in the same position to be strong and to not let something like that in your past change the future.
“I honestly didn’t think I would get chosen because of my scar. I am very self-conscious about my face, even when I am not wearing make-up.
“I could not believe it when I was told I had made the final. People think that in order to be a model you have to be really thin, or have a perfect face.
“I feel like I have demonstrated that this is not the case. I want to encourage other girls not to shy away.
“It’s not just victims of domestic violence but any girl who has an imperfection.
“It would mean the absolute world to me if I won. I did not even think I would get this far.
“I want to let everyone know I am getting on with my life. I have not let this destroy me.â€
Chanttelle is supporting Miss North East GB’s chosen charity, Global’s Make Some Noise, which helps disadvantaged children and young people.