The True Story of Kelly Bates: A Case That Can’t Be Forgotten

James Smith looked ordinary. Clean-cut, middle-aged, a non-drinker, non-smoker—just another man in 1980s Manchester who seemed put together. But behind closed doors, he was anything but. What started as domestic abuse escalated into something far worse, as he preyed on younger and younger victims, tightening his grip on each one until there was no way out. His final victim, 17-year-old Kelly Bates, endured a level of torture so extreme that seasoned forensic experts struggled to comprehend it.

In this episode, we break down the timeline of James Smith’s crimes, the psychological manipulation he used to trap his victims, and the horrifying reality of what happened behind closed doors. How did he go unchecked for so long? What warning signs were missed? And how does a system meant to protect young women allow predators like Smith to thrive?

This is a case that will leave you questioning how evil can hide in plain sight.#TrueCrime #CrimeStory

#SerialAbuser #JusticeForKellyBates #CrimePodcast #DomesticAbuseAwareness #TrueCrimeCommunity #WomenDeserveBetter

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