Former Hollyoaks actor Stephen Beard received the news of his grandmother Ruth Ellis being posthumously pardoned while having dinner with friends. The emotional moment marked the end of a long campaign for justice that spanned decades, according to the 38-year-old father of four.
“It was an amazing thing to hear. I lifted my eyes to the sky, remembering Ruth and my mum. It’s been a lengthy journey, but finally, it’s over. The burden can now be laid down. The family has carried this weight for so long. The impact of Ruth’s death has been felt across generations. The notion of ‘bad blood’ within us due to past events is now resolved. It’s been put to rest,” Beard expressed.
The posthumous conditional pardon for Ruth Ellis, who was convicted of fatally shooting her abusive lover David Blakely in 1955, was granted by King Charles and announced by Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy in Parliament. The original death penalty was replaced with a life imprisonment sentence, acknowledging that contemporary courts might have considered a defense of loss of control or diminished responsibility in her case.
Ruth, a Welsh-born nightclub hostess, was executed at the age of 28 after being found guilty of Blakely’s murder outside a London pub. Her family has persistently argued for her pardon, citing her history of emotional and physical abuse by Blakely.
Beard, who now resides in Dubai and works with international clients in data centers, emphasized the flawed nature of Ruth’s trial, where crucial evidence regarding her abuse and mental state was not properly presented. The legacy of Ruth’s case has weighed heavily on subsequent generations of her family, with tragic outcomes including the suicide of her former husband and son, and struggles with alcohol abuse leading to premature deaths.
The news of Ruth’s pardon brings a sense of accomplishment to Beard, who reflects on his mother’s efforts to seek a pardon for Ruth in the past. He views the development as a significant achievement, illustrating that history can be reevaluated and injustices rectified, providing hope for others advocating for justice.
Despite the lasting impact of Ruth’s fate on her family, Beard finds inspiration in her resilience during her final moments, describing her as a brave woman. He acknowledges the complexities of being her grandson but asserts that her courage has instilled in him a sense of fearlessness and determination to fight for what is right.
Beard intends to honor his grandmother by displaying her picture prominently in his home, reclaiming her identity beyond the label of a murderer to simply being his grandmother.