# “They thought I was brain dead” – Sheffield student scarred for life after violent man attacked two women just hours apart

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/they-thought-i-was-brain-dead-sheffield-student-scarred-for-life-after-violent-man-attacked-two-women-just-hours-apart/
- Published: 2026-07-28T04:15:04+00:00
- Original publisher: The Star (Sheffield)
- Original article: https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/courts/matthew-ward-sheffield-attacks-city-centre-8823786
- Topics: Art, Culture, Sheffield

## Key points

- Man attacked two women in Sheffield within hours of each other in April 2026, with one victim left severely injured and permanently scarred
- Attacker had been released from prison just hours before the assaults after serving time for a previous similar violent attack
- Sentenced to 30 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to assault charges

## Summary

A Sheffield man attacked two women during a night out, with one victim suffering severe facial and bodily injuries that required hospitalisation and left her with permanent scarring. A Good Samaritan intervened during the assault, preventing potentially worse harm.

Matthew Ward had been released from prison just hours before committing the attacks, having previously served time for a similar violent assault. He was arrested the same day and subsequently pleaded guilty to assault charges, receiving a 30-month prison sentence at Sheffield Crown Court.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.