A WOMAN was left with an 8in screwdriver embedded in her body after being stabbed by a garden intruder at the weekend.

But Joy Watson’s first aid training probably saved her from more serious injury as she knew it would be dangerous to pull the blade out herself.

The unprovoked attack has left the Didcot woman shocked and frightened and she “keeps thinking of nothing else”.

Mrs Watson, of Downs Road, added: “It is lucky I am on the chubby side so it did not get any vital organs – being overweight probably saved me a bit.”

The 47-year-old is being treated for a puncture wound after the stabbing when she disturbed the intruder after midnight on Saturday.

Mrs Watson said: “Everyone had gone to sleep, although my husband David was not here. The side gate was banging on the house and I thought it was going to annoy me all night. So I went outside. The garden was pitch black so I just went down the alleyway to the gate.

“I heard quick footsteps behind me. Then felt an almighty punch in my right side. I put my hand round and I had a handle of something left inside.

“It turned out to be an 8in screwdriver.”

The mystery attacker ran off after the incident.

Mrs Watson said: “I shouted for neighbours but they did not hear so I went inside to wake my son up.

“I remember from doing first aid not to take the screwdriver out.

“Just think if my kids were awake. I could have told one of them to go and shut the gate.”

Mrs Watson was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital but is now recovering at home, although she says she is in “a lot of pain” and keeps reliving the incident.

She is hoping that somebody will come forward with information to help catch the attacker.

She added: “At the moment I do not want to go in my back garden. I have said I will never socialise in it again.

“I would have stayed inside if I had known anybody was in the garden. I will do anything to help track the person down.”

Police said no arrests have been made and they are appealing for information.