Ruth finds out that she is pregnant and without Lewis knowing, has an abortion. Ruth then discovers that Lewis had lied about how big his debt to Lorraine Wilson is, prompting Ruth to hit Lewis before Lewis hits her back in retaliation. Lewis tells Ruth that he had slept with Lorraine to pay off his debt, which leaves Ruth heartbroken. Ruth and Lewis finally break up and Ruth than begins to date John Stuart, her colleague, but it soon ends. In a special 16-part late-night show "", Lewis beats Ruth up before trying to force himself on her, leaving Ruth for dead. Ruth is badly hurt and in hospital is told Lewis has died after taking an overdose of painkillers. Ruth has a brief relationship with friend Tony but later leaves Hollyoaks to start a new life in London.