The Dark Truth About My Ex

The Aussie Golden Girl’s Past Continues to Haunt Her

Australian starlet Jessica Marais is reeling over news that her former long-term partner, a Perth artist, has been convicted of bashing a woman.

Earlier this month, curator Ben Riding, 34, pleaded guilty to beating up girlfriend Tatiana Rogala in a drunken rage.

Perth’s District Court heard that after having an argument with Tatiana on Valentine’s Day, Ben locked her in his bedroom, pinned her to the bed and began choking her, covering her mouth with his hand.

He then hit her with the back of his hand, causing her to suffer a black eye and a nosebleed.

‘It’s too late now. I’m going to kill you and then I’m going to kill myself. There’s no going back now. This is it. This is the end,’ he told her.

The news is believed to have devastated Jess, who put on a brave face as she attended the recent Logie Awards for her work on Love Child and The Wrong Girl.

‘It’s devastating for Jess to be linked to a guy convicted of assault for domestic violence. She hasn’t been with Ben for years. But frustratingly, this past relationship is back in the spotlight,’ a family friend reveals.