The acid attack survivor looked happy and healthy in the first picture, taking yesterday as she marked her progress since the incident nine years ago. She could be seen dressed in comfy grey loungewear and smiling for the camera. Looking back at how her life has changed since her ex-boyfriend arranged for an accomplice to throw acid over her, Katie Piper, 35, shared the brave post with her 829,000 Instagram followers, writing in the caption: “First pic Christmas tonight@ Second pic Christmas last year. Third pic Christmas seven years ago. Fourth pic Christmas nine years ago.
“Time flies, mindset changes, new challenges arise but always grateful for life,” she said.
The second image showed Katie lying in bed with her youngest daughter Penelope, who was born shortly before Christmas last year.
In the third image, the philanthropist and author posed for a selfie, displaying the scars on her face and neck from the acid attack for which two men, including her ex, were jailed.
The earliest picture saw Katie wearing a solid plastic mask which was used to help the injuries and many reconstructive procedures she underwent in the wake of the attack.
She used the series of shots to illustrate how much had changed in the years since the acid attack.
The inspirational post prompted her fans to take to the comments section in order to praise the mother-of-two’s bravery and strength.
“Such an inspiration,” one said, while another added: You are an amazing woman.”
“At times I bet you felt so low, but look at you now,” a third wrote. “Wow a true inspiration and living life to the full.”
“You have coped with extraordinary things and burst through them! Another social media commented. “You really inspire me.”
Katie’s ex-boyfriend Daniel Lynch, now 39, orchestrated the attack in March 2008 which left her partially blind and with severe scarring over her face and body.
Since then, she has undergone over 40 operations to help fix the damage caused by the burns.
Katie had previously been dating the man for two weeks before he raped her and beat her up in a London hotel room.
Two weeks later, he arranged for Stefan Sylvestre, now 30, to throw sulphuric acid in her face while he himself was on the phone to her.
In 2009, Lynch was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 16 years behind bars for sexually assaulting her and ordering the attack, while Sylvestre was given life with a minimum of six years.
Earlier this year, Sylvestre was released from prison, with a spokesperson for the Parole Board saying: “Decisions are solely focused on whether a prisoner would represent a significant risk to the public after release.
“The panel will have carefully looked at a whole range of evidence, including details of the original evidence and any evidence of behaviour change. We do that with great care and public safety is our number one priority.”
They said Katie had read statements in person at an oral hearing.
“The panel considered that there were a number of things that reduced Mr Sylvestre’s risk of causing serious harm in the future,” the spokesperson said.
They cited the fact Sylvestre was just 19 at the time of the attack and had been “drawn into a criminal lifestyle” as a teen and said he had been well-behaved in prison as well as rebuilding relationships with his family and completing offence-focused work to “challenge and change his attitude and thinking”.
“Mr Sylvestre displayed empathy for the victim and expressed remorse and shame for his actions,” the summary said.
Katie posted a statement in view of her Instagram followers, saying: “I felt it was important to put a message out to my friends, supporters and followers. This is a really difficult time for me. I am trying to come to terms with the decision and this is something I need to deal with.
“Over the past two weeks Strictly has already given me such a welcome and positive distraction from my past.
“Whilst there is never a good time to hear this news, I am glad I have this new journey to concentrate on. Thank you for your continued support, I really appreciate it.”