JESSICA Smith was having a heart-to-heart with her worried mum on the telephone when she heard a horrifying scream.
The 31-year-old’s mother, Tracy, had just been sent a video of her daughter having sex with her then-boyfriend, Dillan Billany.
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Jessica Smith pictured with Dillan Billany in 2022Credit: HotSpot Media
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A picture showing Jessica’s arm after being assaulted by her boyfriendCredit: HotSpot Media
Shockingly, the clip had been secretly recorded by abusive Billany, 27, who sent the clip to Tracy to mortify his girlfriend.
Jessica, from Hull, East Yorks, was left so embarrassed that she couldn’t face her mum for weeks, but eventually built the courage to confront Billany and ask him to delete the footage.
In response, the brute cowardly attacked Jessica, breaking her arm and leaving her “scarred for life”.
Police later arrested Billany on charges of disclosure of a private sexual film with intent to cause distress, assault by beating, inflicting grievous bodily harm and theft.
He pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to three years in prison in August.
Now with her attacker locked away, Jessica is bravely sharing her story to warn readers of potential red flags in abusive relationships.
She said: “Dillan ruined my life. I always thought he’d change, but he never did.
“I want to encourage other survivors to find the courage to leave as soon as they become controlling.”
Red flags
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Dillan Billany was sentenced to three years in jailCredit: HotSpot Media
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Jessica needed 37 staples to repair her woundsCredit: HotSpot Media
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She also needed 12 bolts to fix her broken armCredit: HotSpot Media
When Jessica first met Billany in February 2022, she fell head over heels for his alluring charm.
But three months into the relationship, his lovable character started to change and he became abusive.
Ashamed, Jessica would come up with cover stories when her friends questioned her.
But as time went on, she says Billany’s aggression got progressively worse.
Terrified, she waited for him to fall asleep one night and then fled in a taxi home.
She added: “The next day, he apologised… I felt like I couldn’t live without him, so decided to give him another chance.”
Sick video
As the abuse continued, her mum Tracy noticed something was wrong and approached Jessica.
She said: “I told her everything. She was so shocked and urged me to report him to the police.”
Tracy messaged Billany about her concerns, but was left sickened when he eventually replied by sending over the video.
“A couple of days later, I was on the phone to her when she suddenly screamed,” says Jessica.
“She told me Dillan had sent her a video of us having sex. I had no idea he’d filmed me, I was mortified.”
Afterwards, Billany called Jessica to apologise – but this time she did not accept, and ended the relationship.
A few months passed before she ran into her ex on the street in February this year.
She said: “He said he didn’t want to end on bad terms and asked if I wanted to go for a drink.
“I agreed, only to convince him to delete the video.”
The pair went to a bar, where Billany showed Jessica the footage. She begged him to delete it, but he refused.
Jessica got up and left in frustration but Billany followed. He then allegedly kicked her in the leg and spat in her face.
She subsequently reported him to the police and gave a statement.
But in March, Jessica received another message from Billany, telling her he wanted to sort things out.
She said: “I was desperate to delete the video, so I agreed.
“That day, we met in a pub, where I knew there would be lots of people.
“But Dillan started accusing me of being with other men.”
Billany stormed out of the pub and Jessica left for home. Moments later, he ran towards her, before grabbing her right arm and twisting it up her back.
He then pushed her on to the floor and yanked her arm back.
I’d never felt pain so intense. I felt like I was going to pass out
Jessica Smith
She said: “I’d never felt pain so intense. I felt like I was going to pass out.
“Dillan took my phone and house keys from my bag and ran off.”
Bystanders called emergency services, who later arrived and rushed Jessica to Hull Royal Infirmary where she was treated.
A hospital X-ray examination showed her arm was broken.
The following morning, Jessica underwent a three-hour operation where surgeons inserted 12 bolts, three wires and 37 staples into her arm.
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The Hull woman wants to warn others about red flags in abusive relationshipsCredit: HotSpot Media
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Jessica said she was a proud ‘survivor’Credit: HotSpot Media
It was five days before she could leave the hospital, but Jessica admits the terrifying incident left her in torment.
She said: “I was terrified of going home, so when I was discharged, I moved in with a friend.
“It was my dominant arm that was broken, so I couldn’t do anything for myself like shower and get dressed.”
Billany was subsequently arrested and pleaded guilty to his charges at Hull Crown Court, before being sentenced to three years in jail.
HOW YOU CAN GET HELP:
Women’s Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
Jessica was glad justice was served.
She added: “It’s no amount of time compared to the pain he inflicted upon me.
“I’m left with a nasty scar and can’t do the things I used to love, like swimming.
“But I’m a survivor and I want him to know that he doesn’t scare me anymore.”
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: tiengtrunghaato.edu.vn