Zoe Watts describes her 14-year marriage to Ben as a facade, with her husband portraying himself as a devoted family man and pillar of the community while secretly drugging her for years to commit sexual acts. "None of it was real," Watts stated. "People like Ben foster a relationship to get their needs met. They masquerade as functioning, funny, kind, loving people. But behind it all is a monster."
Over a period of at least nine years, Ben administered sleeping medication, originally prescribed for their son's insomnia, to Watts in her nightly cup of tea. He then engaged in sexual activity with her while she was unconscious, documenting these acts through photos and videos. Watts recounted experiencing persistent brain fog and debilitating migraines, which her husband attributed to stress and his desire to "lessen the load."
Watts, who has waived her anonymity to raise awareness, met Ben in 2000. He was 11 years her senior. She described him as "friendly, very approachable, funny, charismatic" and the relationship as "love bombing." They married in 2004, and Watts gave birth to their first child, now 23. They went on to have three more children, aged 20, 19, and 15.
Despite an active sex life, Watts noted that Ben could be aggressive and sometimes disappeared without explanation. He was periodically referred to mental health professionals, but no formal diagnosis was given, with his GP attributing his behavior to stress. Watts also suffered from recurrent urinary tract and yeast infections, which doctors could not explain. She even feared she had a brain tumor, undergoing an MRI.
Ben confessed his crimes to Watts in 2018, stating, "I've been sedating you to have sex with you." Initially, Watts focused on the revelation of an affair with a friend, finding it easier to comprehend than the sexual abuse. She initially dismissed the sedation aspect, believing it related to their normal sexual activity. Couples counseling failed, with the counselor seemingly prioritizing Ben's distress.
Watts experienced a nervous breakdown shortly after Ben's confession, suffering weight loss, anxiety, and panic attacks. Her sister's support was instrumental, prompting Watts to finally disclose the full extent of the abuse. Her mother then contacted the police, who Watts described as "fantastic." Ben was arrested at the family home later that night, reportedly wielding a Stanley knife and taunting Watts.
Ben was released on police bail and barred from contacting Watts or returning home, but he continued to spread rumors of false accusations. The children learned of their father's crimes through gossip, and Watts subsequently obtained a restraining order. None of the children maintain contact with their father.
Community reactions were mixed. Some offered sympathy, while others criticized Watts for keeping Ben away from the children or questioned if it was rape if she was asleep. The case took four years to reach court, and at one point, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) considered not prosecuting due to insufficient evidence.
During a five-day hearing at Exeter Crown Court in April 2022, Watts learned Ben had used restraints during the assaults. Ben referred to the photos and videos as "arty" footage and falsely claimed it was Watts's fantasy to be drugged. The jury found him guilty of rape, assault by penetration, and administering a substance with intent to overpower. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Watts expressed relief but believes the sentence was insufficient, comparing it to longer sentences for other rapists. She highlighted the case of Gisele Pelicot, who was drugged and raped by her husband and other men, noting the broader public reaction to Pelicot's case. Watts founded the campaign #EndEyeCheck to raise awareness of drug-facilitated sexual assault. She also mentioned that Ben had confided in his GP about drugging his wife, but the GP did not flag it as an offense. Since going public, Watts has been contacted by dozens of women reporting similar cases. One recent case involved a man who pleaded guilty to filming himself and others sexually assaulting his unconscious partner over 11 years. Watts emphasized that such abuse is more prevalent than many realize.