A WIDNES GP says she is lucky to be alive after her husband repeatedly punched her in a violent, frenzied attack.

Becky Dougherty had fallen asleep on the sofa watching television when her husband Gary, 45, came home drunk and lashed out.

The 47-year-old tried to escape twice but each time he chased her round the living room of their bungalow on Cronton Lane at around 11.30pm on May 6.

Dougherty pleaded guilty to assault and was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Friday to eight months suspended for two years.

Becky said: "He came after me and started smashing my head on the mantle piece and rammed me against the wall. He absolutely battered me. He started laying into me with his fists. There was blood everywhere. I was begging him to stop. He was trying to kill me.

"I grabbed my mobile. He tried to get it off me but I put a call into the police.

I rang 999 and told them: 'I'm bleeding, he's going to kill me!'"

In between blows, Becky managed to call the police again.

"The minute he heard the sirens he stopped. He knew what he was doing.

"The police saved my life. I think the police are angels. I would have been dead if it hadn't been for them. They have been really supportive."

Becky was taken to Whiston Hospital where she had a CT brain scan because of the severity of the attack and sustained a large swelling on the left side of her temple, extensive bleeding and bruising.

"I had two black eyes and had to wear sunglasses seeing patients," said Becky, who works at a practice in Chester.

"I felt so ashamed and embarrassed. The worst thing was bursting into tears in between patients."

The assault has left her suffering post traumatic stress disorder, headaches, flashbacks and anxiety attacks.

The couple only got married nine months ago.

"It was one of the most terrifying things, the way he flew at me," added Becky.

"He had a drink problem and could be verbally aggressive. He has never hit me before.

"I have done nothing but love him. I feel as if my life has been blown apart. I have filed for a divorce."

Becky's late dad Jim set up Dougherty's garage in Runcorn and her mum Anita still owns the petrol station on Victoria Road.

She has spoken out to encourage other victims to seek help.

"I worked as a prison doctor and have done forensics," she said.

"I spent two years in psychiatry before becoming a GP. When I saw the evil look in his eyes I thought he was going to kill me.

"I am one of the lucky ones. I didn't realise how many good friends I have in Widnes.

"It must be 10 times worse for women who are financially dependent on their partner or have children. I can understand why they don't leave their homes but help is available."

Dougherty changed his name from Evans after they got married.

He gave the marital home as his address in court but lives in Wrexham, where he buys and sells fork lift trucks and is the managing director of Cheshire Machinery Limited.

He was also sentenced to 20 days of rehabilitation, 120 hours of unpaid work and a restraining order was imposed for five years.