Cornwall, England – Tina Nash, a 44-year-old mother of two from Cornwall, continues to live in fear for her safety and the safety of others after her ex-partner, Shane Jenkin, who brutally blinded her during an attack in 2011, was recently transferred to an open prison. Jenkin, now 45, admitted to grievous bodily harm and was sentenced in 2012 to a life term with a minimum of six years, following a horrific 12-hour assault where Nash was held hostage, strangled, and left permanently blind while her children slept nearby.
Despite Jenkin’s repeated parole rejections, his move to an open facility now allows him supervised leave opportunities, sparking significant concern from Nash and public safety advocates. Former Metropolitan Police homicide prevention leader, Laura Richards, expressed dismay at the decision, emphasizing that the focus should remain on victim protection rather than the perpetrator’s rights to freedom. Richards labeled the act as “appalling and sadistic.”
Nash, who met Jenkin in a Penzance club in 2009, described the initial months of their relationship as loving before Jenkin turned violent in April 2010. She recalled a history of intense physical abuse that dramatically escalated, culminating in the night of the attack where she was unaware she had been blinded until feeling her disfigured face. “I didn’t know I was a victim,” Nash said, providing harrowing details of her ordeal. Despite numerous surgeries, doctors could not save her sight, and Nash now lives with prosthetic eyes.
Her life since the attack has been marred by severe anxiety, frequent panic attacks, and haunting nightmares about the night she lost her sight. Nash, who before the attack was a vibrant, outgoing DJ, described her current state as one of constant psychological torment. She remains in fear that Jenkin will attempt to contact or harm her upon any eventual release.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson stated that the decision to move Jenkin was preceded by a “robust risk assessment” and assured that transfers back to closed facilities would occur if any rules were breached, underscoring an ongoing commitment to community safety. Nevertheless, the transition to less restrictive custody has left many, including Nash, questioning the system’s priorities.
To fortify her home against the possibility of Jenkin’s release, Nash has initiated a GoFundMe campaign aimed at enhancing security measures. This fundraiser reflects a broader plea for reassurance and protection from a system that former victims and advocates argue is too often skewed in favor of rehabilitative aims for perpetrators without adequate regard for survivor safety and trauma.
This case not only reflects ongoing challenges in how justice is administered but also highlights significant issues with parole and prison system decisions, triggering a broader discussion on victim’s rights and public safety in the face of violent crime. As Nash and others await further developments, the community remains apprehensive about what the implications might be for similar cases nationwide.