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| Woman cleared of partner's murder | Woman cleared of partner's murder |
| (about 9 hours 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, said she acted in self-defence against William McAuley, 38, at the couple's home in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, on 10 April. | Wendy Ellis, 40, said she acted in self-defence against William McAuley, 38, at the couple's home in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, on 10 April. |
| She said she suffered a catalogue of abuse from her partner, who was known for being violent when drunk and had been repeatedly reported to the police. | |
| The court heard that she had suffered "years of fearsome physical abuse". | The court heard that she had 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. |
| My only wish is that others who suffer as I have done for so long do not persist in their attempts to salvage a relationship which is beyond repair Statement by Wendy Ellis | My only wish is that others who suffer as I have done for so long do not persist in their attempts to salvage a relationship which is beyond repair Statement by Wendy Ellis |
| 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. | 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 to their home in the Fron Fawr area of the town. | Their stormy 15-year relationship came to an end 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. | 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 he returned home, a row broke out between the couple. | But when he 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. |
| A popular family man William McAuley's family pay tribute to him | A popular family man William McAuley's family pay tribute to him |
| 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. |
| Soon after Mr McAuley suffered a single, fatal stab wound to his chest. | 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 Ms 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 Ms 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 court heard expert witnesses tell that the defendant's behaviour showed all the signs of a woman who had been abused over a long period of time. | The court heard expert witnesses tell that the defendant's behaviour showed all the signs of a woman who had been abused over a long period of time. |
| 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, and pushed her neck backwards. | 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, and pushed her neck backwards. |
| In his summing up, Mr Justice Roderick Evans told the jury that it was a case in which they had three choices - to convict Wendy Ellis of murder, to convict her of manslaughter or to acquit her of the charges against her. | In his summing up, Mr Justice Roderick Evans told the jury that it was a case in which they had three choices - to convict Wendy Ellis of murder, to convict her of manslaughter or to acquit her of the charges against her. |
| After three-and-a-half hours of deliberation , the jury of 11 women and 1 man returned a unanimous verdict. | After three-and-a-half hours of deliberation , the jury of 11 women and 1 man returned a unanimous verdict. |
| The judge then turned to Wendy Ellis and said: "Wendy Ellis, you may go." | The judge then turned to Wendy Ellis and said: "Wendy Ellis, you may go." |
| A statement on her behalf read: "On 10 April 2007 there was a tragic end to what were years of domestic abuse and my attempts to salvage a home and life and a family. | A statement on her behalf read: "On 10 April 2007 there was a tragic end to what were years of domestic abuse and my attempts to salvage a home and life and a family. |
| "My only wish is that others who suffer as I have done for so long do not persist in their attempts to salvage a relationship which is beyond repair, and to seek the help and support within the wider society that is available, rather than suffer in silence as I have done for far too long. | "My only wish is that others who suffer as I have done for so long do not persist in their attempts to salvage a relationship which is beyond repair, and to seek the help and support within the wider society that is available, rather than suffer in silence as I have done for far too long. |
| "Can I also express my sincere regret for what's happened and to the loss to William's family and friends." | "Can I also express my sincere regret for what's happened and to the loss to William's family and friends." |
| Mr McAuley's family paid tribute to him, saying he was a "popular family man". |