A Falmouth businessman left badly injured in a pool of his own blood and needing facial reconstruction has revealed plans to set up a woodland respite sanctuary in Cornwall for other victims of trauma.

Paul Rutter says he hopes to show that “A negative action can lead to a positive reaction.”

The Falmouth joiner, who at the time of his injuries ran a bespoke furniture and joinery company, was assaulted in Killigrew Street in the early hours of September 25, 2011.

He was left unconscious with multiple fractures and doctors at the Royal Cornwall Hospital had to use titanium plates and screws to rebuild Mr Rutter’s cheekbones and nose.

The attack left him without any feeling in the upper part of his face and having to eat puréed food.

In 2013 one of his attackers was sentenced to 140 hours of community service and a six-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months, after the prosecution accepted a lesser charge of affray.

It was not until 2016, some five years after the incident, that the second man was brought to justice, after he fled to Spain to avoid standing trial. He was sentenced to nine years and six months in prison for affray and wounding with intent.

Now, more than a decade on, Mr Rutter wants to set up a sanctuary for others who have experienced trauma in their lives, by buying a woodland in Cornwall and offering wild camping, bushcraft skills and woodland management to help with their mental health.

He and wife Sarah say they are putting a “considerable amount” of their own life savings into the project, as they are so passionate about it, and have set up a Go Fund Me page in a bid to help reach their goal of raising £49,000.

To offer support via the ‘Help Us Create a Woodland Sanctuary For Mental Health’ page visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-create-a-woodland-sanctuary-for-mental-health

Mr Rutter explained: “I experienced a vicious, unprovoked attack almost 13 years ago, which left me in a dark place mentally and physically.

“I had to undergo a six-hour operation to rebuild my smashed cheek bones and then reattach my lower jaw to my skull, with metal plates and screws holding my face together. This procedure left me with no feeling in the lower part of my face due to irreversible nerve damage.

“At the time, I jointly ran a bespoke furniture and joinery company, so I had a huge commitment and responsibility to carry on with client contracts and our employees. I had no time to heal mentally or physically, but instead, I tried to put on a brave face and move on.

Mr Rutter in hospital after the attack

“Nature became my solace as part of my healing process, with the help and support of my dear friends, especially my closest friend Paul Watts. Bushcraft, wild camping, and shared stories around a campfire provided a sanctuary where I could rebuild.

“Because these places of sanctuary are becoming harder and harder to find, I want to create our own woodland so others can have their own special healing place.

“Here, I will pass on my passion for working with wood and my skills in bushcraft and woodland management.

“Equally, I want to provide solace around the campfire, exchanging life stories and making new positive chapters in our book of life. I envisage a woodland refuge where others can find healing and hope.”

He said the money would go on buying a piece of woodland in Cornwall, where they would offer groups wild camping, bushcraft skills, cooking over an open fire, and enjoying nature from dusk till dawn.

“Your support and donations will be instrumental in helping us achieve this.

“Please join us in creating a place where hope takes root and flourishes,” he added.