but the worst was to come after cops’ horror discovery

A Terrifying Discovery

When Zoe Johnson opened a Facebook message from her ex-partner Andrew Williams, she froze in terror. The pair had split months earlier, but the message contained a photo of Zoe asleep in bed, her top pulled up to expose her breasts. Initially fearing Williams was stalking her, Zoe contacted the police. What investigators uncovered on Williams's phone was far worse than she had imagined.

Digital forensic experts recovered deleted files containing graphic videos of Williams repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting Zoe while she was unconscious, as reported by The Sun and The Irish Sun. Zoe, 34, from Stockton-on-Tees, suffers from fibromyalgia and PTSD and relied on heavy, doctor-prescribed sleeping pills. The lead detective on the case told Zoe: "If I didn't know you were alive, I would have thought I was looking at a corpse."

Coercive Control and Secret Drugging

The couple met in 2019, and Zoe initially described Williams as a "dream boyfriend." However, cracks appeared in March 2020 when Zoe's best friend died, and Williams moved in during the first Covid lockdown. Zoe's sister Jocelyn was the first to raise concerns about Williams's controlling behavior. Investigators later discovered that Williams had been secretly doubling Zoe's medication, including Pregabalin and Mirtazapine, leaving her vulnerable and unconscious.

The case highlights what Zoe's reporting describes as "stealth drugging" and coercive control. Zoe, a carer, said she relied on the prescription pills to cope with chronic pain, a vulnerability Williams exploited.

Conviction and Sentence

Williams was convicted of two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of assault by penetration. He pleaded guilty after initially claiming that Zoe had consented and that they had watched the videos together. He was jailed for nine years and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. A lifelong restraining order was issued to protect Zoe. Williams applied for parole and is due for early release in January 2027.

Zoe believes Williams has attempted to add her on social media from prison, a claim that underscores her ongoing fear. She said: "What happened to me will always be a scar, but I refuse to let that monster write the rest of my story."

Warning Others

Zoe has chosen to waive her anonymity to warn other women about the dangers of coercive control and "stealth drugging." Supported by her new partner, Iain, she is urging victims to trust their instincts. "I met Andrew in 2019 through a friend at my son's primary school, he was funny and down to earth, a normal lad," she recalled. "Our first date was a cup of tea and a film, he was just my type."

Now, Zoe is reclaiming her life and speaking out to ensure others recognize the warning signs before it is too late.