A BRAVE mum-of-two who was brutally attacked in her own home three years ago has made a direct appeal to her attacker to hand himself in.

Saturday, September 28, will mark the anniversary of the vicious attack that left Clare Carmichael fighting for her life.

The now 39-year-old has fought back from the brink of death, and is using the anniversary in a bid to catch her would-be killer.

The attack left Clare in a critical condition on a life support machine with serious head injuries.

She spent a gruelling five months in hospital undergoing rehabilitation and physiotherapy.

She says that although time is healing the mental scars, she will never forget the day that changed her life forever.

"I clearly remember getting to the top of the stairs and being confronted by a strange man," she said of the incident at her former home - Candlemas, in Kinton near Leintwardine, Herefordshire.

"I asked him who he was and what he was doing, but don't remember him answering.

"He came at me and I remember having this almighty fight with him.

"I felt really angry at him for being in the house.

"I wish I knew why he did it to me and what he wanted. If he was after me, then why? What had I done to deserve such brutality?"

Determined

In a direct plea to her attacker, she said: "If you are responsible for doing this, then surely I deserve to know why. Please don't let me spend the rest of my life wondering.

"I am appealing to that person, anyone who knows the answers to why, or anyone who knows the man who did this, to contact the police."

The attack came when Clare had just moved into the rented bungalow with her two sons after splitting up from her now ex-husband.

"My life crashed around me. I will never be the person I was before the attack," said Clare who is determined to fully recover from the incident, which has left her unable to read and dependent on her family.

West Mercia Police stressed any information received in connection with the case, which is being treated as attempted murder, would be in the strictest confidence.

Those with information are asked to contact Det Chief Insp Dave Morgan on 08457 44488, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.