Chloe Kane, a 27-year-old mother from Newcastle, has spoken out about her terror that her rapist ex-partner James Barron will eventually be released from prison, describing her current situation as a 'waiting game'. Barron, 33, was jailed for seven years and three months at Newcastle Crown Court after pleading guilty to rape, criminal damage, breaching a restraining order, and common assault. The attack occurred in November 2025 at Chloe's home in Fenham, where she lives with her four children.
From Loving Partner to Abuser
Chloe met Barron in 2020, and they had a son together in 2022. However, after the birth of their daughter in 2023, his behaviour changed dramatically. 'At first he was great,' Chloe said. 'But after our daughter was born he just completely changed. It came as a shock. I just couldn't believe someone who could be so kind and genuine could be so nasty.'
When Chloe ended the relationship in 2024 and moved into her mother's home, Barron's abuse escalated. He sent a message to a friend threatening to 'strangle' her, and later smashed a window at her mother's house with a rock. For these offences, Barron received a 24-month community order and a restraining order banning him from contacting Chloe or her mother. 'I just didn't feel like I had been taken seriously about how dangerous he was,' Chloe said.
The Night of the Rape
Despite the court orders, Barron continued to terrorise Chloe. In November 2025, after receiving more than 100 messages from him in one day, she agreed to meet him at a friend's house to try to calm him down. 'I just wanted to keep the peace,' she explained. But Barron assaulted her and damaged her phone, forcing her to flee and hide behind bins. He found her, and she agreed to return to her home, where he raped her.
'I tried to calm him down then he raped me,' Chloe said. 'I was telling him I didn't want to and I wanted to go to sleep. I was that scared. I was fearing for my life.' After the attack, Barron took a taxi, leaving Chloe to walk to her mother's house for help. Her mother called the police, and Chloe was taken to hospital.
Ongoing Fear and Trauma
Chloe believes that if Barron had been jailed for his earlier crimes, the rape could have been prevented. 'He didn't listen to the court orders that were there to protect me,' she said. 'I just thought I'm going to have to keep him at peace myself.' Now, even with Barron behind bars, she lives in fear of his release. 'I don't feel safe now even though he's locked up. To me it feels like a waiting game until he's back out.'
Chloe continues to struggle with the trauma. 'It's been really hard,' she said. 'I'm on medication and I keep having flashbacks. I'm struggling to be in this house because this is where it happened. I can't even sleep in my bedroom. I have really bad nightmares.' She still lives in the same house where the attack occurred.
