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Ruth Ellis’s grandchildren have asked Justice Secretary David Lammy for a posthumous conditional pardon, arguing the last woman hanged in Britain was abused before she shot her lover, David Blakely, in 1955. They cite assaults, an illegal abortion and a miscarriage, and note the judge told jurors to disregard her mistreatment as a defence. Ellis admitted intent, and the jury took 20 minutes to convict. The family, featured in a new S4C documentary, describe lasting trauma. Their KC says modern understanding of domestic abuse could have supported defences and that a pardon would address a historical wrong.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.