A SUFFOLK woman has told how she thought she would die after a man plunged a four-inch knife into her stomach during a road rage attack.The married 28-year-old said last month's attack has ruined her life and still gives her nightmares.

A SUFFOLK woman has told how she thought she would die after a man plunged a four-inch knife into her stomach during a road rage attack.

The married 28-year-old said last month's attack has ruined her life and still gives her nightmares.

The woman, who works in Ipswich but is too scared to be identified, spoke at her Sudbury home and relived the moment she was left for dead after she was stabbed.

She said: "I just wish the man or anyone protecting him could see what they have done to me. He has absolutely shattered my life. Before I was always going out, I was happy and bubbly and always had a smile on my face, now I am withdrawn, I feel vulnerable all the time and don't go out unless I have to.

"As far as I am concerned the man left me for dead and that is not the action of a sane person. If he done this once there is a possibility he could do it again, I plead with anyone with any information to come forward."

The woman who works as a carer for Ipswich based Classic Care was travelling to her last home visit patient at around 8pm on Thursday, April 3, when the attack happened.

She left an address in Minsmere Way, Great Cornard and went up Sheepshead Hill to go to a final home in Newton Green, when she noticed a small red car behind her flashing its lights.

She turned down Joe's Road in Cornard Tye, but the driver overtook her and forced her silver Ford Focus off the road. Both drivers got out of their cars and the man accused the woman of cutting him-up before he stabbed her.

She said: "Although he was angry he was also calm, he had glaring eyes and smelt strongly of tobacco. He said something about cutting me up and then I thought he punched me before walking away saying something like that will teach you.

"It wasn't until I got back to my car I realised that I had been stabbed. I called 999 on my mobile and waited for help, by this stage I was really frightened and thought I was going to die."

She was taken to Colchester General Hospital and had a three-hour operation to remove the knife from her stomach. She was released from hospital a few days later, but it was two weeks before she could leave her home.

The knifeman drove an old red hatchback car with three doors and bubbly/rusty paintwork over the rear passenger side wheel arch. It made a distinctive rattling noise.

He was white, 5ft 9in tall, of medium build with a tanned complexion and short dark hair. He was clean-shaven and wore a stud in his left ear. He is thought to be aged in his early 40s. At the time of the incident he was wearing a dark coloured, short sleeved T-shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with any information should call the special inquiry line on 01284 774344 or Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555111.