John Sweeney's surviving victim Delia Balmer's chilling account of axe attack

A new ITV series, Until I Kill You, tells the harrowing true story of Delia Balmer's survival of a brutal axe attack by notorious murderer John Sweeney. Delia, a former agency nurse, had initially met Sweeney at a pub, and after a chance encounter on the street, she decided to reconnect with him.

However, things took a dark turn when Sweeney moved into her London home, revealing his sinister nature as he tortured and held her hostage multiple times. He even confessed to Delia about murdering his ex-girlfriend, Melissa Halstead, dismembering her body and disposing of it in a canal.

Recalling the horrific December 1994 attack, Delia shared: "The last thing I remember was seeing my finger fly through the air, I awoke in the Royal Free and all I wanted to do was die, I didn't want to live any more in this body, in anger and pain. I was in no condition to write. My nerve endings were raw, I had torn tendons, a broken arm, the slightest touch was sensitive."

Delia revealed that once she saw Sweeney's violent side, she desperately wanted to escape him, but he continued to harass her relentlessly. Delia recounted the terrifying moment she just barely escaped with her life: "I was on the doorstep he had the axe over his head, I shut my eyes waiting for it to come down, then the neighbour's son hit him with a baseball bat and he ran off with the axe."

She further elaborated on the investigation following the attack, expressing disappointment: "When I gained consciousness this time the serious crime squad came, but it was a big joke. He was gone and in the meantime, Paula Fields was murdered. I remember reading about it in the paper and thinking 'sounds like something John would do'."

John Sweeney went into hiding after his attack on Delia only to murder his second victim, Paula Fields. Paula's dismembered remains were disturbingly discovered across six bags in the Regents Canal in King's Cross during February 2001.

It wasn't until six years later that Sweeney was apprehended, following the grim discovery of Paula's body parts. He is now serving a life sentence behind bars.

Today, at the age of 74, the brutal assault continues to have a profound effect on Delia who admits, "I remain an angry person".

Further discussing her current state, Delia said, "I am a perfectionist but my life is opposite of perfect. I often suffer from depression and anxiety, afraid of life and afraid of the future, a compulsive worrier."

Confronting her reflection brings little comfort, as she observes: "When I look in the mirror I see a stranger. Certain physical pain, I will have for life. I am stuck. I cannot move on, and cannot go further. Fear holds me back from doing certain things."

Until I Kill You continues on ITV at 9pm