WHEN angelic little Sapphire cuddles up with her mum, the nine-year-old seems like any other loving daughter.

But in reality moments like these are rare because the truth behind their relationship is far more disturbing.

Mum Pauline Bubb is the victim of a type of domestic abuse so extreme she cannot escape from it because her attackers are her children.

The mum-of-three has admitted she has been attacked up to 30 times a day by her daughter Sapphire, a twin, and occasionally her son Spencer, 11.

Attacks included verbal abuse as well as being bitten, hit and kicked which has left her bleeding and with bruises.

The 47-year-old single mum, told the Daily Echo: “Most parents look forward to their kids coming home from school. I absolutely dreaded it. I was living in fear of my own children.”

Despite leaving her so stressed her own health began deteriorating suffering panic attacks, hot sweats and palpitations, Pauline was too embarrassed to tell anyone about the hell she suffered at the hands of her children behind closed doors.

Speaking at her Thornhill home Pauline, explained: “At the end of the day you are being beaten up by your own kids, there is nothing more shameful than that. I knew what was happening but it got so bad I didn't know where to turn. That's why I let it carry on.“The problem was that to everyone who met them out, they were these lovely, sweet, angelic kids, very polite, and would hold doors open in shops, say please and thank you.

“Behind closed doors though, it was like World War 3.”

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Fearing for the family's future, Pauline, who explains she has been to countless parenting courses across the city, saw a leaflet for the Channel 5 show My Violent Child looking for people living in fear of their kids and offering to provide one-to-one support.

Film crews came into her home for several months to document the children's behaviour.

Pauline, recalled her terrifying ordeal which she says started two years ago with verbal abuse.

“Sapphire's behaviour started with being very controlling. She would ask me a question then say 'Yes Sapphire' but I had to say it in a very specific way.

“I had to say it how she wanted me to, not too slow, not too slow, I couldn't even blink.

“She'd repeat herself again and again 'yes Sapphire' 'yes Sapphire' until I said it exactly the way she wanted me to say it.”

That behaviour then spiralled out of control leading to swearing and physical abuse.

But it wasn't the first time Pauline had experienced violence from her children.

Daily Echo:

Her son Spencer, who was later diagnosed with ADHD, became violent at four and had outbursts including once holding a knife to his own throat and stabbing Pauline's stomach with a pair of scissors.

“Spencer has his problems but the girls were never really a problem until a couple of years ago.

“I have been very very scared and very very hurt.

“It sounds shameful that you are being terrorised by a nine-year-old because you think really, how strong can she be? Look at the size of her and the size of me. But once she gets going and the adrenaline is pumping, she is incredibly strong. It's terrifying.”

During filming for the programme Pauline, who said she spent most of the initial filming process in tears, said Sapphire bit her face so hard, the cameras had to stop.

She was helped by the woman known as Southampton's supernanny Islay Downey, who is the co-author of new self-help book Parenting A Violent Child.

The family were taken away where they had to join in family-building activities including survival skills which helped bring Pauline and the children closer together.

Pauline, explained: “I know it is about me and the inconsistencies in parenting.

“It's things like they would want to stay up and sometimes I would give in. The behaviour spirals out of control if you aren't consistent. I know now I was being inconsistent and so there were no boundaries.

“Family life is so much better since Islay's help. It is still ongoing and they do have their episodes but I know what I have to do. Before, we would never eat as a family at the table but now we sit down and have a family dinner Monday to Friday and they all help.

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“The biggest thing I have realised is as much as I love them, there has to be boundaries and I have to remember to find time for me too. This has made me lose a lot of confidence.”

Pauline decided to speak out about her nightmare to make sure other parents in the same situation do not suffer in silence.

“If anyone reading this can relate to anything I have been through, speak out and get help and remember your own worth. Nobody should have to live in fear of their own children.”