Christ Kay, what a scumbag! Like you say, there's never any justification for a guy hitting a woman (spanking maybe ...

) no matter the provocation, and here this wanker hadn't even an excuse, not that there is one. And not only that but he was if I understand you correctly trying to beat the crap out of you like a man! Hope he gets his comeuppance. And carrying a knife too?
Glad you're okay though... scary stuff. This is why I never, ever, ever, under any circumstances at all, ever on any account go outside my front door. Just too dangerous out there...
But glad you're ok. As they say, that "bears repeating"...