Jemma Rixon, 20, was working alone on a night shift at Potens voluntary residential home in Birkenhead, Merseyside, when Craig Cantwell barricaded them both in an office and attacked her in July 2013.

The care worker, from Wirral, Merseyside, had taken 30-year-old Cantwell to the medicine room when he claimed to have a headache. As she filled in paperwork, Cantwell locked the door.

She said: "I tried not to show that I was scared and attempted to talk him round by saying that we could go back downstairs for a cup of tea.

"Suddenly, he lunged towards me, telling me to get in the bathroom and bend over. He said he was going to kill me and called me a whore.

"I was absolutely terrified, but before I had time to do anything, he flung me across the room and started punching me.

"I scratched at his neck to fight him off, and then I ran into the bathroom and locked myself in.

"I thought I was safe, but as I tried to call the police, he started bashing his way through the wall using a chair."

This left Ms Rixon with a terrifying decision – face either her attacker or a 20 foot drop to the ground outside.

She leapt from the window, when she landed on her back and was temporarily paralysed, before managing to crawl to safety.

She was spotted by two milkmen and rushed to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

There she was found to have broken two vertebrae, as well as fracturing both her neck and foot.

Her injuries kept her in hospital for two week and left her using a back brace and wheelchair until she was able to regain the ability to walk.

Ms Rixon said: "I should never have been left on my own. On that night, I had sole responsibility for six residents - many of whom have mental health problems. It wasn’t safe for me to be the only member of staff on shift.

"Craig tried to rape me, and he almost killed me. I genuinely thought I was going to die.

"I knew I had only one choice: jump out of the window, or stay and be raped - or even worse, killed.

"I should never have been put in that situation."

In April Cantwell was found guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm, affray and committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual crime at Liverpool Crown Court.

He was jailed for nine years and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders register for life.

Judge Alan Conrad said ordered that the care home should be investigated for allowing Ms Rixon to work the shift alone.

Ms Rixon said: "I went into this job because I love to help people. But my kindness nearly killed me.

"I just hope that other care homes see this and realise how dangerous it is for homes to let people work alone.

"Measures need to be put in place to protect people from going through what I went through.

"I’m lucky to still be alive.'

A spokesperson for the care home said: "Potensial Ltd regrets this unforeseen and extremely unfortunate incident. 

"Ms Rixon remains as an employee of the company, and we will continue in our commitment to support her recuperation."