Woman mauled friend in church attack after discovering affair with husband

14 February 2024 , 13:57

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Gabriela Cordeiro was attacked outside church (Image: Gabriela Cordeiro/ Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

A devout Christian mother of two had a chunk of flesh ripped from her chin after she was attacked and mauled by her unfaithful husband's mistress whilst attending Sunday service at church with her family.

University graduate Gabriela Cordeiro, 39, who was with her children and two godchildren was arriving for the service when she was confronted in the car park outside by Flavia Fernandes, 41, saying: ''I am here just to hit you.''

During the ensuing assault, Fernandes pushed Mrs Cordeiro to the floor before jumping on her and then sitting on the victim's stomach whilst repeatedly punching her. As Mrs Cordeiro attempted to fight back, Fernandes leaned into Mrs Cordeiro's face and bit her on her chin, holding her bite for two minutes - only stopping after part of the victim's skin had been ripped away.

A member of the congregation at St Thomas of Canterbury Roman Catholic Church in Bolton, Greater Manchester eventually intervened and separated the two. Mrs Cordeiro was later treated in Royal Bolton Hospital for a deep 2cm gaping wound on the base of the chin. She is now scarred for life.

Gabriela with husband Pedro on their wedding day in 2008 (Pedro Cordeiro/ Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

The women had been friends despite Mrs Cordeiro being aware of her husband of 15 years, Pedro, having an affair with Fernandes. A court heard the former lovers had been exchanging flirtatious texts with each other in the run up to the assault. In a statement to police Mrs Cordeiro said: "I feel sad and I feel that I have been abused. I have known Flavia for a long time and when she said she will attack me I did not take it seriously as I never expected this to happen.

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"I have received injuries to my chin that required stitches. I am fearful that the stitches will leave a scar. That will affect my self-confidence. I am really upset about what has happened. It makes me upset to the point that I cry as she attacked me in front of my children and nephews."

Gabriela showing her chin wound (Pedro Cordeiro/ Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

Gabriela fought back as she was attacked (Gabriela Cordeiro/ Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

At Bolton Crown Court, mother of three Fernandes wept as she was jailed for 25 months after she admitted intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Katie Walden, counsel for the prosecution, said: "Gabriela Cordeiro, is married to Pedro Cordeiro. Gabriela has known the defendant for many years and the two women had been friends. However, some years ago Gabriela discovered that the defendant had been having an affair with her husband. Notwithstanding this, and despite initial recriminations, it seems the two had made up to a large extent and remained reasonably friendly.

"Recently however, Gabriela discovered that the defendant and her husband had been sending each other inappropriate, flirtatious messages, and their relationship was soured," she continued, adding that ahead of launching her church attack, Fernandes told her victim "I am here just to hit you."

Flavia Fernandes has been sent to jail (Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

Describing Fernandes' two-minute bite, Miss Walden told the court: "She only stopped after part of Gabriela's skin had been ripped out of her chin. Gabriela says that she could feel and hear the skin ripping off her. In order to try to defend herself, Gabriela says that she tried to bite the defendant's nose."

Miss Walden said a medical report described Mrs Cordeiro's bite injury "as a deep gaping wound 2cm in diameter on the base of the chin". In mitigation defence counsel Martin Pizzey said: ''This was an impulsive act on her behalf and did not know the matter was going to escalate so quickly and that she would lack self-control. The complainant tried to bite the defendant's nose in response. The defendant herself required medical attention.''

The Cordeiros were married for 15 years (Pedro Cordeiro/ Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

Pedro had an affair with family friend Fernandes (Pedro Cordeiro/ Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

Sentencing Fernandes, Judge Jon Close imposed a restraining order forbidding her from approaching Mrs Cordeiro for five years, telling her in regard to the attack on Mrs Cordeiro: "She was punched, taken to the ground but more particularly she was bitten. I accept that the remorse is genuine but your victim was clearly afraid that she will be left with a scar, a scar to her face that will be in a place that is not easily hidden. All of that in front of her children."

Ryan Fahey