A Story of Survival and a Fight for Justice
In 2011, Tina Nash became the victim of one of the most horrific cases of domestic violence in British history. Her then-partner, Shane Jenkin, subjected her to a 12-hour ordeal of unimaginable brutality – strangling her repeatedly until she lost consciousness, breaking her jaw and nose, and ultimately using his bare hands to gouge out both of her eyes, leaving her permanently blind.
This nightmare unfolded while her children slept in the next room.
A History of Violence Ignored
What makes this case even more heartbreaking is that it wasn’t Jenkin’s first act of violence. Throughout their relationship, police had been called nine times due to his attacks on Tina, which had resulted in hospital visits. On multiple occasions, he had attempted to harm her eyes and had stamped on her head.
Tina had asked authorities whether Jenkin had a history of violence, but they refused to disclose this information. The truth was that he did have an extensive record of escalating violence against both women and men – information that could have changed the course of Tina’s life had it been shared with her.
Tina Nash will never get her sight back. She will never get her old life back. She lives every single day with the horror of what was done to her, both physically and psychologically. The idea that her attacker, a man the courts themselves deemed dangerous enough to warrant a life sentence, can now walk the streets freely, is a betrayal. Not just of Tina, but of every survivor of abuse who has ever trusted the system to protect them.
Justice System Failures
After pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent, Jenkin received a life sentence with a minimum term of just six years. He spent time in both prison and a secure mental health unit, with several unsuccessful parole attempts over the years.
In 2022, when Jenkin applied for parole, Tina wasn’t informed about the hearing, she learned about it from a journalist. Every professional assessment deemed him too dangerous for release, noting his desire for revenge, his “unhelpful beliefs about women,” and his continued blame of Tina for his own violence.
Yet shockingly, just two years later in 2024, Jenkin was granted parole. He has since been transferred from maximum security to a Category D open prison and is now being prepared for release – just 12 years after committing an act of extreme violence that permanently altered a woman’s life.
Let’s be clear, this was not a “domestic dispute.” This was torture. Gouging someone’s eyes out with your fingers is not an impulsive act of anger. It is a conscious decision to destroy another human being’s life. It takes a particular kind of cruelty, sadism, and complete absence of empathy. It’s not just criminal behaviour, it’s psychopathy.
The fact that Jenkin has spent time in high-security prisons and psychiatric institutions, and is now being transitioned into an open prison, is terrifying. Open prisons are designed to ease inmates back into normal life. But this isn’t a man who needs help buying milk or getting a job. This is a man who, by his victim’s own testimony, remains fixated on her and has expressed continued hostility towards her. He didn’t stop when he was caught, he was stopped. And now the system wants to test whether he’ll behave when no one’s looking?
Tina Nash’s life was brutally transformed in a single night. She has lost not only her sight but her independence, her career, her relationships, and peace of mind. She cannot leave her home alone and is haunted by the possibility that the man who tortured her might one day be standing silently behind her. Because of him, she lives in a constant state of fear, and let’s not forget, he wishes he had killed her. Those were her own words, and they should matter. She survived one of the most horrific acts of domestic violence the UK has ever seen, and yet instead of being protected and honoured for her resilience, she is now being retraumatised by a system that seems to care more about the rights of the perpetrator than the safety of the victim.
“Losing my sight at the hands of this monster was like being buried alive,” Tina says.
She has been repeatedly failed by the system designed to protect her. As part of the Victim Contact Scheme, she should have been given opportunities to participate in parole hearings and been informed about how to challenge decisions, but this support was lacking.
In a particularly disturbing incident, Tina recalls her probation liaison officer asking her, “Don’t you feel bad for him having this hanging over his head?” after she spoke out about the attack and parole decision.
Tina firmly believes that Jenkin remains a danger to society: “I cannot believe he is a changed man who poses little risk to the public. As far as I know, he has not been assessed for psychopathy – I believe he is a psychopath.”
With Jenkin’s release imminent, Tina is desperately trying to ensure her own safety and prevent similar tragedies from happening to others. She needs urgent security measures for her home, including cameras and professional security consultation, as she cannot rely on authorities for protection.
Additionally, she needs specialized glasses that can read text to improve her quality of life, a small comfort in a world that has been forever darkened for her.
Tina’s case highlights critical failures in how domestic violence is handled by authorities. Early warning signs and patterns of escalating violence are too often ignored until it’s too late. Victims’ voices are silenced or dismissed, while perpetrators are given second chances they haven’t earned.
As Tina puts it: “The authorities should be taking domestic abuse more seriously. They should be looking at the patterns of repeat violent offending behaviour and dealing with the perpetrators early so more victims are saved.”
Rehabilitation should be available to those who can demonstrate genuine remorse and change. But there are crimes that go so far beyond the bounds of humanity that they demand permanent separation from society, not as a punishment, but as a protection. Not just for the individual survivor, but for all women who see in Tina’s story a terrifying reflection of their own vulnerability.
How You Can Help
Tina Nash’s story is not just about one woman’s suffering – it’s about a system that continues to fail victims of domestic violence. By supporting Tina’s cause, you’re standing against these injustices and helping ensure that survivors receive the protection and support they deserve.
Over 25,000 people have already signed a petition opposing Jenkin’s release. That is 25,000 people who understand that some crimes are too severe, some acts too dangerous, to ever risk repeating. Yet the Ministry of Justice continues to hide behind the language of “risk assessments” and “robust evaluations.” SIGN HERE
Tina Nash did not die. She survived something no one should ever have to endure. That survival is a testament to her strength and resilience, and her voice deserves to be heard, believed, and respected. When she says she fears for her life, we must listen. When she says she has been warned that Jenkin still obsesses over her, we cannot afford to dismiss that as paranoia.
This is not just about one man and one woman. It is about what we are willing to accept, what we are willing to excuse, and what we are prepared to do to keep survivors safe. Shane Jenkin should never walk free again, because Tina Nash, and all victims like her, deserve peace.
Tina has a GO FUND ME page here
If you have experienced any form of abuse, coercive control, domestic abuse, domestic violence, or sexual violence, please visit our website The FEMCAST for services and supports.
Join me on LinkedIn
Subscribe to The FEMCAST and help us bring these critical stories to light. Each listener, each voice, and each story makes a difference. Together, we can break the silence.
If you enjoy my content and would like to support our research and work, consider buying me a coffee (by clicking below). Your contribution helps me continue creating this content. Thank you for your support!
