A woman shared her harrowing experience of meeting a seemingly ‘charming’ man on a dating site who later turned into a ‘monster,’ attempting to drown her in a bathtub.
Katie Yates, a 42-year-old mother of two, began communicating with Jason Smith, then 29, after he messaged her on the dating platform Plenty of Fish. Their relationship quickly escalated, with Smith initially portraying himself as “very charming.” However, this facade concealed a cruel and sadistic nature. Following months of aggressive and controlling behavior culminating in a violent attack in the bathroom, Smith was convicted of rape, assault causing bodily harm, and assault by beating.
Katie, who chose to reveal her identity as a sexual assault survivor, had been single for five years before joining Plenty of Fish in February 2018, encouraged by her family. Smith, a railway maintenance worker, appeared as a “gentle giant” with a child and expressed his love for fatherhood when Katie met him at a local Wetherspoons in Pontypridd, South Wales.
Despite the initial charm, their relationship took a dark turn when Smith moved into Katie’s home under the pretext of a temporary stay due to a falling out with his landlord. As his unemployment was revealed, Smith’s behavior became increasingly erratic, accusing Katie baselessly and resorting to physical violence.
The situation escalated when Smith subjected Katie to physical and emotional abuse, culminating in a violent incident at a holiday park where he assaulted her and later attempted to drown her in a bathtub. Following these traumatic events, Katie sought help from her parents, leading to Smith’s arrest and subsequent trial, where he was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in prison with a restraining order for ten years.
Despite the justice served, Katie continues to struggle with the lasting trauma caused by Smith’s abuse, expressing fear of potential encounters when he becomes eligible for parole in 2027. She remains vigilant, emphasizing the importance of speaking out against abusers like Smith, whom she now refers to as a “monster” that had entered her life.