Web diary

I arrived in Johannesburg and was told to expect the worst. It’s hard to describe the shock waves when I saw Laura. She looked so fragile, afraid and battered. Her face really was different. There was the physical damage – the jaw skewed, the nose broken, the teeth smashed, the eyes puffed and terrified, the dark lines underneath, the scars above - and the completely helpless and shattered look.

I decided to keep a detailed account of what happens... and I want to try and record some of the discussions I’m having with doctors and police, simply because when I get back to Australia, I’m sure it will all seem too unbelievable...