A BRAVE mum-of-three whose alcoholic ex-boyfriend terrorised her with a sledgehammer in front of her children has spoken of her horrific ordeal.

Emma Case, 27, has nightmares and is scared to leave her home on Stroud's Paganhill Estate since the vicious attack on the morning of Halloween.

"He has destroyed my life and the lives of my children," she said.

Her former partner, 31-year-old Jonathan Burns, of Overbrook Road, Hardwicke, has admitted the assault and is awaiting sentence.

Stroud Magistrates' Court heard the details on Friday, December 9.

The court was told how Emma - who had a nine year relationship with Burns - feared for her life as she was punched and dragged around by her hair.

Emma was in bed when Burns arrived on her doorstep at 7.30am on October 31 wielding the sledgehammer.

"He said he would smash the door down if I didn't open it," she said, speaking after the hearing.

"My son was standing behind the door and could have been killed if he had broken it down."

She opened the door and Burns burst in, attacking her while she screamed to her children - William, four, Mary, eight, and Nathan, two, - to fetch help.

Burns also smashed a wall, TV and mobile phone.

It was also claimed that Burns held the sledgehammer over Emma's head and threatened to smash her skull, although he denied this.

"It's going to take a long time to get over this," she said.

"The kids are distraught. I have nightmares every night about him with the hammer and I'm terrified to leave the house.

"I still have scars behind my ears.

"I'm worried sick about seeing him every time I go out and have brought an alarm.

"He deserves to go to jail."

Burns admitted having the sledgehammer, damaging the property and assaulting Emma, although he claimed he slapped rather than punched her.

He will be sentenced on Friday, January 13.