Chloe Williams, 25, endured five years of horrific physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, Jordan Smith, 29. The nightmare reached a terrifying peak when Smith flew into a rage and brutally beat her while she was in bed. Chloe heard a sickening “pop” in her back — one of her ribs had broken and was protruding through her skin. Instead of helping her, Smith laughed and refused to let her see a doctor.

This was just one incident in a long pattern of violence that included daily beatings, strangulation, black eyes, knife threats, and severe psychological torment. Smith isolated Chloe from friends and family, controlled her money and phone, and constantly blamed her for the abuse. He even used her past childhood sexual assault against her, telling her she “deserved it.”

In October 2025, Smith was sentenced to four years in prison and given a 10-year restraining order after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including controlling and coercive behaviour, actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation, and harassment.

However, due to severe overcrowding in UK prisons, the government is preparing to release hundreds of offenders early this autumn (starting with around 700 in September). Chloe has been informed that Smith is likely to be among them — meaning he could walk free after serving less than a year.

Chloe said:

“I was horrified when I got the email. I was just starting to feel safe again. Now I’m living in fear. It took so much courage to go through the justice system, and I feel completely let down. What’s the point of reporting abuse if perpetrators aren’t properly punished? Jordan is a danger to me and to all women.”

Today, Chloe is rebuilding her life with a new partner, David, and credits her cat “Puss in Boots” for helping her survive her darkest moments when she even considered suicide.

Ministry of Justice Response: The government states that public safety remains the priority. The most dangerous offenders are excluded from early release, and those released will face strict conditions including electronic tagging and movement restrictions.