This article includes topics that may be triggering such as pregnancy loss, death, PTSD, domestic abuse and sexual violence.
It was announced this week that Ruth Ellis, the last woman in the UK to be hanged, has been granted a posthumous conditional pardon, in light of evidence she was a victim of domestic abuse. Here is her story…
Ruth Ellis was born in Rhyl on October 9th 1926 and later went on to work at the Little Club in Knightsbridge. Throughout her life, she unfortunately faced many forms of abuse and sexual violence at the hands of her Father and further physical and psychological abuse from her future intimate partners.
One of those partners was David Blakely, who perpetrated horrific abuse against Ruth Ellis. This included physical violence which was believed to have caused a miscarriage and emotional abuse which left her tormented. He was investigated but faced no legal consequences for his actions whatsoever. Ruth Ellis eventually felt that the only option she had was to take David Blakely’s life. Ellis shot Blakely in April 1955, killing him.
This kind of abuse and all forms of violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and sexual violence can have devastating consequences on a person’s wellbeing. The 1992 legal case of R v Ahluwalia laid out very clear legal guidelines on how diminished responsibility should apply in circumstances where a domestic abuse victim becomes so tormented that they feel the only escape is to take the life of their perpetrator. Ahluwalia suffered years of torment and violence at the hands of her husband and eventually took his life. A medical report at the trial laid out the psychological and emotional impacts that the abuse and violence Ahluwalia had endured had.
Two thirds of survivors of abuse develop PTSD1 and 60-70% of patients accessing mental health services have experienced domestic abuse. This is a significant impact that was not sufficiently considered during Ruth Ellis’ trial, with little responsibility being given to David Blakely’s actions.
This is a post-humous pardon and has come too late for Ruth Ellis or her descendants. Ruth Ellis’ granddaughter, Laura Enston said that this pardon does not “restore the lives that were broken”. The execution of Ruth Ellis meant that her two children were left to face the consequences of a system of failed justice which led to the sentence of death and the loss of their Mother. It meant that years on, her grandchildren were in the position of having to bravely fight to have the important recognition of what Ellis had been through.
Ruth Ellis’ story serves as a powerful reminder of how domestic abuse can shape a survivor’s future and have devastating consequences. The events of April 1955 resulted in the loss of David Blakely’s life, but Ellis’ actions cannot be understood without recognising years of abuse and torment. The pardon cannot bring Ellis back to her loved ones, but brings hope that she will go on in memory as a brave survivor who felt she was no longer left with any options for escape.
If you or anyone you know needs support, help is available to you now. The Live Fear Free Helpline can provide confidential advice or support around domestic abuse, sexual violence or violence against women. It is available 24/7, 7 days a week. Call 0808 80 10 800, text 07860077333 or email [email protected].
You can also access the Live Fear Free Helpline online chat by heading to: https://www.gov.wales/live-fear-free/contact-live-fear-free.