Christian grandmother stabbed in head says she will forgive attacker, if he turns to God

A grandmother stabbed in the head 13 times has said she will forgive her attacker if he turns to God.

Angela Burks, 68, attributes her survival after she was stabbed in the head by Lee Greenall to "a miracle".

She was stabbed by the 39-year-old when she refused to give him her handbag in Alfreton, Derbyshire, on February 5.

When she then surrendered the bag, he continued to stab her.

He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, but pleaded guilty to wounding with intent, robbery and possessing an offensive weapon and is serving a 10 year prison sentence.

Burks said she would forgive her attacker if he repented.

"It's got to be true repentance though. It's not going to be like an apology - 'I'm sorry' - because anybody can say they're sorry.

"He would then have to turn his life round to God and he would have to prove it to me that he had," she told BBC.

"Personally I would like him to come to God of course, and I would like him to come to full repentance," she said.

"So if he did that, yes, I would forgive him."

When she was attacked, Burks mistook the stab wounds for punches, despite them fracturing her skull and causing a brain bleed.

"I just seemed to accept everything that I had to go through and I'm positive this was part of the miracle," she said.

"I wasn't aware he was stabbing me, but to be stabbed 13 times and not to feel it is just incredible that I'm alive."

related articles
Man facing murder charge asks for forgiveness for killing priest

Man facing murder charge asks for forgiveness for killing priest

Pastor whose pregnant wife was fatally shot: \'I hope to share the gospel with her killers\'
Pastor whose pregnant wife was fatally shot: 'I hope to share the gospel with her killers'

Pastor whose pregnant wife was fatally shot: 'I hope to share the gospel with her killers'

Should we \'hate the sin, love the sinner\'?
Should we 'hate the sin, love the sinner'?

Should we 'hate the sin, love the sinner'?

Jamaica: Widow of slain Christian missionary speaks of \'huge loss\'
Jamaica: Widow of slain Christian missionary speaks of 'huge loss'

Jamaica: Widow of slain Christian missionary speaks of 'huge loss'

News
13 Christians abducted in church attack in Nigeria
13 Christians abducted in church attack in Nigeria

Thirteen Christians have been abducted by a militia group in Nigeria following a skirmish in Kogi State.

Former moderator of Church of Scotland teams up with pop star to release Christmas song
Former moderator of Church of Scotland teams up with pop star to release Christmas song

What do you do when you've retired from leading a church?

Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'
Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'

The university and students' union said the play was within the bounds of free speech laws.

Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged
Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged

A pro-life campaigner who silently prayed near an abortion clinic in Birmingham has been criminally charged.