Domestic abuse victim's hands severed by ex-partner

On January 21st 2003, Antoine Dixon attacked his ex-partner Simonne Butler with a samurai sword, severing both of her hands.

After dozens of operations, Simonne's hands were reattached. Her friend Renee Gunbie, who was with her at the time, lost one of her hands.

Dixon then stole a vehicle and drove to Auckland, where he shot dead a man called James Te Aute. Two years later, he was given a life sentence for murder, wounding, kidnapping and using a firearm against a police officer.

He killed himself in jail. Simonne told 5 live's Nihal Arthanayake what happened on that day in 2003.