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Woman cleared of partner's murder Woman cleared of partner's murder
(20 minutes later)
A woman who had been the victim of prolonged domestic violence has been cleared of murdering her partner.A woman who had been the victim of prolonged domestic violence has been cleared of murdering her partner.
Wendy Ellis, 40, denied murdering former soldier William McAuley, 38, at the couple's home in Blaenau Ffestiniog, on 10 April this year. Wendy Ellis, 40, said she acted in self-defence against William McAuley, 38, at the couple's home in Blaenau Ffestiniog, on 10 April this year.
She said she suffered a catalogue of abuse from her partner, known for being violent when drunk and who was repeatedly reported to the police.She said she suffered a catalogue of abuse from her partner, known for being violent when drunk and who was repeatedly reported to the police.
The court heard she suffered "years of fearsome physical abuse".The court heard she suffered "years of fearsome physical abuse".
The five-week trial heard friends describe Mr McAuley as "gentle, meek and mild" when sober.The five-week trial heard friends describe Mr McAuley as "gentle, meek and mild" when sober.
But his partner said he was a "Jekyll and Hyde" character who would change under the influence of alcohol.But his partner said he was a "Jekyll and Hyde" character who would change under the influence of alcohol.
She said he would often attack her for no reason after drinking and that she had metal plates inserted in her jaw as a result. Ms Ellis, a school cleaner, said he would often attack her for no reason after drinking and that she had metal plates inserted in her jaw as a result.
Their stormy 15-year relationship came to an end after Mr McAuley returned from one of his regular drinking sessions in April.
A friend had told the jury that although he was so drunk that he was "unable to stand that well", he appeared to be in a good mood.
William McAuley was discharged from the Royal Welch FusiliersWilliam McAuley was discharged from the Royal Welch Fusiliers
Their stormy 15-year relationship came to an end in April after Mr McAuley returned from one of his regular drinking sessions to their home in the Fron Fawr area of the town.
A friend had told the jury that although he was so drunk that he was "unable to stand that well", he appeared to be in a good mood.
But when the 38-year-old labourer returned home, a row broke out between the couple.But when the 38-year-old labourer returned home, a row broke out between the couple.
Ms Ellis told how her partner began hurling abuse and punched her in the face.Ms Ellis told how her partner began hurling abuse and punched her in the face.
When he picked up a television and threatened to throw it at her, Ms Ellis ran into the kitchen and grabbed a knife used to peel potatoes.When he picked up a television and threatened to throw it at her, Ms Ellis ran into the kitchen and grabbed a knife used to peel potatoes.
At that point, Mr McAuley grabbed her around the throat.At that point, Mr McAuley grabbed her around the throat.
Sometime soon after Mr McAuley suffered a single, fatal stab wound to his chest.Sometime soon after Mr McAuley suffered a single, fatal stab wound to his chest.
At one point during the trial, Ms Ellis said she stabbed him but later said she did not realise what she had done.At one point during the trial, Ms Ellis said she stabbed him but later said she did not realise what she had done.
She explained that she was in fear of her life and had run away thinking he was going to come after her.She explained that she was in fear of her life and had run away thinking he was going to come after her.
It was only after she saw blood on the knife and realised that he was not following her that she said she realised how serious the situation was and called the police.It was only after she saw blood on the knife and realised that he was not following her that she said she realised how serious the situation was and called the police.
'Kind woman''Kind woman'
Her defence barrister, Elwen Evans QC, asked her: "Did you want to kill William McAuley? Did you want to hurt him?" Wendy Ellis answered: "No."Her defence barrister, Elwen Evans QC, asked her: "Did you want to kill William McAuley? Did you want to hurt him?" Wendy Ellis answered: "No."
In his summing up Mr Justice Roderick Evans said Ellis was regarded as a good daughter and valuable member of the community who people were proud to know.In his summing up Mr Justice Roderick Evans said Ellis was regarded as a good daughter and valuable member of the community who people were proud to know.
She was described as an honest and dependable, gentle and kind woman "always with a smile on her face".She was described as an honest and dependable, gentle and kind woman "always with a smile on her face".
The prosecution recognised that she was abused physically, mentally and emotionally by Mr McAuley but claimed she occasionally abused him.The prosecution recognised that she was abused physically, mentally and emotionally by Mr McAuley but claimed she occasionally abused him.
The jury heard that two years ago Ms Ellis had stabbed him three times. She claimed Mr McAuley had hit her as if she were a punch bag, pushed her neck backwards.
In his summing up, Mr Justice Roderick Evans told the jury that this is a case in which they have three choices - to convict Wendy Ellis of murder, to convict her of manslaughter or to acquit her of the charges against her.
Mr McAuley's family paid tribute to him saying he was as a "popular family man".Mr McAuley's family paid tribute to him saying he was as a "popular family man".