A mother-of-three viciously attacked by a pitbull in Sutton received a royal gift to cheer her up during recovery.

The 38-year-old woman, known as Maureen, was surprised by a handwritten letter and a bunch of flowers from Prince William, who is the patron of the charity she works for.

The Centrepoint charity worker was attacked in May when the dog leaped from the communal area of a period house converted into flats in Benhill Avenue, as she opened the door, and attacked her.

A passerby who heard her screams rushed to her aid and managed to release her from the dog’s grip.

One of Maureen’s closest friends, who preferred to stay anonymous, said: “She was very thrilled about it and, at first, she couldn’t believe it.

"The last few months have been very hard for Maureen, but she is on the path to recovery and this gesture from the Prince was a wonderful surprise.”

She suffered serious injuries in both her arms and needed several operations after the horrific incident which left her in hospital for a few weeks, undergoing skin grafts.

She is now recovering at home.

A spokeswoman for Centrepoint said: “Prince William very kindly sent Maureen a bunch of flowers and a letter wishing her well.

"As Centrepoint’s patron, Prince William is always actively involved and keen to support both staff and the young people that we support.”

Centrepoint provides emergency accommodation, support, information and training for homeless young people in London.

Maureen, who has two daughters, aged seven and 10, and a son, aged three, was caring for teenagers living in temporary accommodation at the building at the time of the attack.

Two weeks after the crazed pitbull mauled the charity worker, one of her friends told the Sutton Guardian she could not speak for days and was still having nightmares about the attack.

After the incident, officers arrested two women, both aged 18, at the Benhill Avenue address for being in control of a dangerous dog under Section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act.

They have been bailed to return to Sutton Police station this month.

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