A STUDENT had her lip bitten off by her ex-boyfriend - because he wanted to "leave his mark on her".

A year later, Kayla Hayes spoke out out about her ordeal, sharing photos of her horrific injuries.

7 Kayla Hayes was left with permanent scarring after he ex-boyfriend tore her lip off Credit: Caters News Agency

Kayla - from Greenville, South Carolina - started dating Seth Aaron Fleury in 2016, when he was 21 and she was 17.

She broke up with him after almost a year, because he treated her like "property".

A few weeks later, she met up with him so that he could "right his wrongs" before joining the Navy - but he became violent when she refused to get back with him.

Fleury tried to kiss her, and as Kayla pulled away, he bit her bottom lip so hard it almost completely tore off.

7 Kayla dated Fleury for just under a year, but split up with him because he 'treated her like property' Credit: Caters News Agency

Kayla, now 19, said: "I met him down the street, he had flowers and cards, one about getting back together.

"After reading the cards, he asked: 'Don't you have anything to say?' and I told him I was not there to get back with him.

"He told me to get out, so I did, and he threw everything at the back of my head. Once I got back into my car, my leg was shaking so uncontrollably that I couldn't move.

"I saw him draw a breath and try to kiss me, as I pulled away he clenched down.

"I remember him latching onto me and my body being in shock, I didn't feel any pain apart from the tear and I started screaming.

"He then dragged me by the hair and slammed the door in my face and drove off. It was crazy."

7 Kayla was left with horrific injuries, and underwent emergency surgery Credit: Caters News Agency

7 She says she remembers Fleury 'latching onto her' Credit: Caters News Agency

Fleury pleaded guilty to assault and battery of a high aggravated nature, and was sentenced to 12 years in jail.

While she's "relieved" he's in prison, Kayla has been left with permanent scarring.

She underwent emergency plastic surgery and received over 300 stitches, and the damage caused by the attack left her with limited movement around her mouth.

She continued: "My surgeon had to cut all around my face and cheeks to bring the two sides of my lip together because it was torn off completely.

"I find myself insecure over the scars, it's very hard as a young woman especially, but I can define my scars or have them define me, they show my story and what I have overcome.

"A piece of me died after the attack, at times I feel a great deal of sadness but now when I think about that day, I know I'm a stronger person today."

7 Kayla says she's a 'stronger person today' Credit: Caters News Agency

7 The 19-year-old wants to go back to school, to focus on domestic violence-related issues Credit: Caters News Agency

"I have been told Seth did it intentionally and wanted to leave his mark on me for my next boyfriend.

"Seth was very controlling and treated me like property not a girlfriend, he was very manipulative."

Happily, she's now found love with Blake, a friend who's supported her since she was in hospital.

Kayla said: "He is amazing, he would hold me even when I was covered in stitches and told me I was beautiful. He picked up the broken pieces.

"He played a humongous part in my recovery and picked me up on my hardest days.

"He showed me that not all guys are like my ex and that there are good people out there."

7 Kayla has found love with new boyfriend Blake Credit: Caters News Agency

Kayla is fundraising to pay off her medical bills and future treatment, as well as return to school.

She was forced to withdraw from college - where she was studying to become a dental hygienist - and as a result, lost a scholarship.

She now hopes to focus her studies on domestic violence-related issues.

To donate, visit her fundraising page.

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