The GRIM Execution Of Ruth Ellis - The Last Woman Executed In Britain

[@jameshoopes6467]

I just read that her son destroyed her headstone at the cemetery and then committed suicide. Tragic.

[@balancedactguy]

Very Sad story...no winners...nothing but losses!😟

[@JamesVaughan]

An excellent film was made around the time of the Ruth Ellis case, "Yield to the Night" (1956), with Diana Dors playing the blonde Ruth Ellis-like character. Although it is not actually about Ruth Ellis, it is a riveting (fictional) account of a woman's dread and terror as she faces execution in a condemned cell, and her final acceptance and resignation as the day of her hanging comes nearer. Definitely Diana Dors' finest acting achievement and a must-see.

[@pmoran7971]

James I have been to the Magdala many times, having worked near South hill park strangely enough the second last woman to be hung also lived in South hill park she was a Greek Cypriot who had killed her husband the Ruth Ellis case was a miscarriage, she should have been convicted for manslaughter and given eight to ten years, even more astounding was the man who drove her to that fateful meeting had also supplied the gun, he was never charged!

[@larry1824]

Dors was terrific on stage.

[@katiejon17]

@@pmoran7971 if she showed-up and shot the guy dead... that is not “manslaughter”.

[@ashishjoshi8148]

See 'Dance with a stranger', the 1985 film based on the Ruth Ellis case. Miranda Richardson is a knockout as the much-abused woman who kills her lover.

[@larry1824]

@@ashishjoshi8148 really good movie own a dvd

[@careywestbrook9102]

Another great video. Thanks

[@dinebonte4014]

This story left me sad and empty! RIP Ruth Ellis!

[@everettscott4745]

TheFortress you always provide well researched, accurate and narrated accounts of historical facts. This was indeed quite a sad story. Nobody came out on top. You've a great channel.

[@johnnyhollis9977]

Yes, several documentary programs have been made about this tragic case. Obviously Ruth was guilty of murder but there were very strong mitigating circumstances that by today's standards would have probably not seen her been judged so harshly. Ruth was severely abused by her partner for one thing. Being given the gun was a good example of how other factors were involved to complicate the case. RIP.

[@Marvin-dg8vj]

She practiced using it and asked to be driven around North London trying to find her victim. She shot him several times at close range .Despite abusive behaviour this is not a capital crime. Ellis repeatedly returned to this unpleasant and aggressive man when she could have left him.. The more I read the details the less sympathetic to Eliis I get.

[@sweetcostarica]

Marvin has an excellent point: people who are abused can leave the abuse in most cases. Only children and POWs can not. If you have ability *_like Ms Ellis did have_* you should leave it. But *_human nature_* being evil let sin and dark thoughts control us and we do not do the right thing(s). Ruth like you are doing judged the situation without seeing the truth. The truth is: we are all in a _fallen state_ and need God in our hearts. His love will help us to forgive and forget. That power will enable us to escape all bad situations according to God's will. Stay frosty.

[@donraptor6156]

There was not such thing as mitigating circumstances when she was executed. You cannot apply any modern standards to any behavior in the past.

[@C.kelp1879]

She waited outside the pub and when her ex turned up, she shot him. Pre-meditated murder. There are NO mitigating circumstances.

[@johnnyhollis9977]

@@C.kelp1879 There was an excellent documentary in the UK that examined the entire background of Ruth's life and death. Too much to go into here as a comment but enough to say that today she would have had enough mitigating circumstances to avoid death. David Blakely treated her very badly. The gun was also made available to her under very suspicious circumstances and egged on by another man. Things were very different then and Ruth was the only execution that troubled her executioner in later years.

[@renee1961]

Good morning, and Thank You. I hope you're doing well.

[@patienceobongo]

I haven't been hanged.

[@tracymcardle7395]

Now Ruth Ellis would have been helped as she was in an abusive relationship its so sad❤

[@mitchflorida]

Did Desmond get away scott-free after he supplied Ruth Ellis with the gun? It sounds like he was an accessory to the murder.

[@jonldn]

Ruth stated that she was given the gun some years before and did not give the true story of where she obtained the gun until the day before her execution. We can only wonder what difference to the outcome would have been if Ruth had told the full story about the events of that day in 1955.

[@allenmorris85]

The title says, Grim execution of Ruth Ellis. What it should read is, Grim miscarriage of justice by misogynists. Ruth Ellis would never have been charged today of anything other than, The prick got what he deserved. God love you Ruth, it wasn’t your fault you were born out of time. ❤

[@fasteddie9055]

Class warfare at its worse !!!

[@jonldn]

She would not be charged with shooting someone in the street ? Really?

[@allenmorris85]

@@jonldn Do you beat up women? Do you think if you beat the crap out of a women, and then she shot you down in the street, would she get the death penalty today. In what country? Your comment leaves you open to a lot of questions buddy. Perhaps keep some comments to yourself. Yea, sure no one can see who you are, but you have to look in the mirror everyday. I sure hope there isn’t a Mrs London.

[@jonldn]

@@allenmorris85 your reply is testament to so many who comment on this case . Who make statements and accusations without knowing or taking consideration of all the full known facts . I personally do not condone the murder of anyone be that by a person or state and people who feel “he got what he deserved “. Should also think, based on the evidence that Ruth herself allowed and gave at her trial, the jury only had one course of action to take. There are many more victims in this case than Ruth . By the way. Please don’t make assumptions about people making comments who you do not know as perhaps you might reflect this also makes you judge and jury without the full evidence .

[@allenmorris85]

@@jonldn You are a fool bud. I’m not making statements and accusations, you are. Grow up! One more thing, “Stop Beating On Vulnerable Women”! And Stop Replying to Comment You Don’t Like. Get A Life Bud!

[@honestyandtruth6847]

Thank you for the video. This was a tragic case; i recommend an excellent film 'Dance with a Stranger' (1985) starring Miranda Richardson and Rupert Everett.

[@kellyjaneko69]

I was thinking of the time when I watched that film as I watched this you tube video. She loved passionately. Xx

[@chuckabutty888]

Guilty, with no remorse, all was clear cut with her own admission. She got what she deserved at that time in history. This story was so controversial at the time only because it sold papers to make money for people who didn't care about her guilt but only their own greedy money gaining interest. The papers later claimed that the hangman Pierrpoint resigned because of her execution, which was all speculation (read his autobiography), as it again got more on their sales. Many claimed that this lead the way to the abolishment of the death sentence which was total rubbish but the media milked it and milked it. The true reason for abolishment was the the book by Ludovic Kennedy and the making of the film "Ten Rillington place" depicting the tragic execution of Timothy Evans, and the massive miscarraige of justice due to the murderer John Christie's lies. By todays standards she would have got life and been out within ex number of years to make money for her story and everyone winning barring the victim. Statistics show that the death penalty has never been a deterrent and that it can go wrong in many cases. What it does show is that the media can and still does, influence people in order to make profit regardless of guilt or innocence.

[@silentwitness247]

Most peoples opinions, whether they are political, financial, social, religious, environmental, etc, are formed from a multitude of sources ranging from parents, schools, universities, workmates, tv, books, newspapers etc. The influencing power of the papers cannot be underestimated.

[@Charles-in3zt]

Blah blah blah, you can tell you just love to hear yourself talk.

[@silentwitness247]

@@Charles-in3zt Hi Charles, are you commenting on my comment or Chuckabutty’s?

[@chuckabutty888]

@@Charles-in3zt so why bother reading it?

[@chuckabutty888]

@@silentwitness247 Never mind Charles, I think his input was aimed at me. Seems to be a guy that is incapable of any decent contribution to serious subject. Yours got a thumbs up from me by the way. Here's another 👍

[@paul111287]

Thanks for this vid. Everything id even seen previous to this failed to show how abusive he was to her and how he caused a miscarriage. Just shows lengths people can go when physically or mentally pushed. I remember years ago 2 most haunted episodes where Derek said picked up on Ruth Ellis and said that Ruth and David had forgiven eachother. Not sure if I believe that since she had no sympathy after killing David but who knows.

[@tanazinn8484]

RIP Ruth!😔🙏🙏🙏

[@fasteddie9055]

Salutes to the talented Diana Dors for her courageous portrayal of the unfortunately condemned Ruth Ellis. I would love to see ''Yield to the Night'' (1956). This is Eddie in NYC, NY.

[@jonldn]

Yield to night was not about Ruth Ellis

[@larry1824]

Yes she killed him but they should have given her life. I understand she died bravely

[@fasteddie9055]

I agree 110% !!!!

[@tanazinn8484]

They left her hanging for an hour???😭😭😭

[@jonldn]

Sadly there was a lot of “rules” in carrying out an execution. One of them being indeed a body was left hanging for an hour after the execution. Another (in my view ) barbaric need was for a member of the family to “identify “ the body .

[@bombcross]

It should never have happened! Poor Woman!RIP!

[@joehart7260]

Pierrepoint resigned after her execution, although he denied it was the reason for his resignation many believe she got to him.

[@jamesboston7457]

Good video

[@andrewmcdowall229]

Shame as she killed the guy because he was hitting her & cheating on her

[@allseeingotto2912]

Always two sides to every story

[@fasteddie9055]

Pitiful !! Ruth was just a commoner. Had she been of the UK's ''privileged'' class , she would have been protected and never executed by the British judicial system. I like that the British community organized a valiant protest to save Ruth's life. In fact, the British judicial system has since then shied away from hanging any woman. That is Ruth's legacy and contribution to the improvement of the sometimes ruthless British judicial system.

[@jonldn]

Perhaps the fact that no woman has been executed in the UK is that the last hanging in the UK was 1964 when it was put under review and this was made permanent in 1969

[@robinelliott-ni2eh]

When did a female of the privileged class assassinate someone and get away with it?

[@trixiedelight9874]

How many years apart were these peeps?

[@joelgoldberg3019]

She shot Blakely outside the Magdala Pub not Mandala Pub.

[@charliekavanagh1217]

Yeah ok

[@fasteddie9055]

Ruth Ellis' American equivalent is California's Barbara Graham. Diana Dors' (Yield to the Night - 1956) & Miranda Richardson's (Dance with a Stranger - 1985) American equivalent is Susan Heyward (I want to live - 1958). Barbara Graham was set up by some criminal accomplices & wrongly blamed for a well publicized murder of an elderly widow. I've seen the movie several times and it's a real sad tale of cheap criminals & ambitious , politician, prosecuting attorneys. Coupled with some aggressive cops who would arrest their own ''grandmothers'' to get a good pinch. It's also a politically-charged, anti death penalty movie. The already famous Susan Heyward won an Academy Award in '58 for her more than realistic performance.

[@terpmaniac]

The trial lasted 2 days. 2! How is that even possible unless the fix was in.

[@colinwinterman]

The word execution, makes my soul quiver, rightly or wrongly

[@Abraham-MasterofLights]

I think murder should be legal

[@jonldn]

I think stupid remarks should be banned from You Tube

[@eglin32]

Other women have deserved it since then

[@zacthebold5136]

If you're a real feminist, then you ought to consider this incident a great day for justice. She thought she'd get a light sentence just by playing her woman card and being cute, the same way she had always gotten her way with men. A miscalculation. Talk about entitlement

[@jonldn]

In fact you could not be more wrong . By all accounts Ruth expected to die and was noted as saying “an eye for an eye”. In fact had she “played the cards” as you say she would have stood more chance of the charge being lessened . I feel sorry that no one was there for both Ruth and David to help them with the issues they both clearly had .

[@philw245]

My mum was at school with Ruth Ellis.

[@harrynewiss4630]

Did they hang out together?

[@jinka6171]

Should not kill. No matter what. Leave, bolt, run,but don’t kill..

[@chrisardern4594]

Guilty its a pity the death penalty for murder was abolished in my opinion

[@johntozer8270]

Legalised murder does not deter and never has deterred murder and never will, life should mean life, but capital punishment puts society on the same level as the murderer

[@chrisardern4594]

@@johntozer8270 in one way your quite correct but i would happily throw the switch or pust the leaver of someone who killed one of mine.

[@jaybee9269]

@@chrisardern4594>> Would you take your turn as executioner of a stranger? That’s what supporting the the death penalty is-I do.

[@chrisardern4594]

@@jaybee9269 if they murdered one if my own no problem and if not one of mine i wouldn't like to deprive the other murdered persons family the satisfaction of throwing that switch or pushing that lever. I hope this answer is found to be honest enough for you.

[@ionescuion3251]

It depends on what kind of murder.

[@londonparticulars2968]

The Magdala pub, with the two fake bullet holes in the wall

[@jimmyavpi]

Don't confuse England with Britain. Most of the brutal executions committed in Britain were actually committed in England.

[@jimmyavpi]

@@ragnarulrichson778 no they haven't. The reason they haven't is because they aren't total barbarians like the English. Stop making guesses and do what I do and use proper facts..

[@jimmyavpi]

@Ragnar Ulrichson sorry to burst your bubble, but considering I'm a historian, I believe I know more about the subject than you give me credit for. As for you thinking its me just saying it because of some Scotland v England thing, then you need to grow up. At my age, my maturity is past that type of childish behaviour. Like I said, I deal in facts, not guess work like yourself. Now what you need to do is find yourself a 2yr old child to argue with then you might actually win an argument for a change. If your lucky and the child is extremely poorly educated..

[@jimmyavpi]

@Ragnar Ulrichson now I know you are talking a lot of crap. You are just making things up as you go along. Do yourself a favour and stop embarrassing yourself.

[@maxsdad538]

That's like saying I live in California, not America. If they were committed in England, then they were committed in Britain.

[@JamesVaughan]

@@jimmyavpi There are plenty of English living in Scotland and Scots living in England. Britain is a multicultural nation. You must be a nationalist who votes for the Scottish N@zi Party and who pledges allegiance to the Dear Leader Nicola Sturgeon.

[@Spartacus516]

Well. TheFortress, I don't understand why you tried to minimize the admitted guilt of Ruth Ellis. You have an obvious gender bias against men. WOULD YOU HAVE DEFENDED A MAN IF HE MURDERED AN EX-GIRLFRIEND IN A JEALOUS RAGE? Can you give one example of a case in which you've done that? I doubt it. You said that the alleged abusive relationship was over and, therefore, David Blakely posed absolutely no threat to her. You also said she murdered him in a jealous rage even though they weren't even dating anymore. This was a clear cut case of premeditated murder. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR HER TO KILL HIM WHEN SHE DID. Furthermore, if she hadn't been executed then she might have murdered a future boyfriend or ex-boyfriend in another jealous rage. She was a threat to society.

[@allseeingotto2912]

Exactly, he’s obviously doesn’t believe in women being held accountable for their actions.

[@Torgo-and-the-Lucifer-Cat]

"attractive woman"?? Are we looking at the same photos? I've seen better heads on boils!

[@nightlightabcd]

Him being abusive to her is made irrelevance by her keeping involved with him! She could have stayed away, as he was trying to stay away from her!

[@WaterShowsProd]

Unfortunately abusers are usually highly manipulative as well, and create psychological chains, if you will, that prevent the victim from leaving. I have seen people in these types of relationships, and it can be very frustrating for those watching from the sidelines, not understanding why they don't simply walk away from their abuser.

[@maxsdad538]

@@WaterShowsProd The victim never kept her from leaving. On the contrary, he TRIED to kick her out of his life. Or did you miss that part?

[@WaterShowsProd]

@@maxsdad538 Please re-read what I wrote, and if curious then look into the psychology of these situations. They are far more complicated than be contained within a tiny segment of this short video.

[@pmc8119]

@@maxsdad538 Ever heard of trauma bonding? Unless you've experienced this type of relationship, your comments are irrelevant

[@nagone11]

Hanging was ridiculous, what kind of insane savagery was that..smfh. She should have gone to prison for her crime, given a life sentence with a parole possibility after about 20 years..and on to the next case.

[@patienceobongo]

Threat of hanging women would solve some of todays problems

[@tfureyify]

Not GRIM, but just, she shot a man in cold blood !!

[@josephstabile9154]

The 'controversy' escapes me... Consciously aware of the law against murder, and the apertaining penalties, Ruth insisted on having revenge on her ex-lover, and she had it. So she got what she desired. Now what, we don't want the applicable penalties to apply? What are we as a society-- psychotic? Obviously, I'm not accepting his treatment of her as an extenuating circumstance. She did not quit the relationship at his first threatening/abusive behavior. And, she was not in mortal danger when she shot him; he was running away.

[@fasteddie9055]

Hey Stabile, you are living in the Stone Age. Abused women's rights are a hot political issue since the turbulent 60s. Smell the coffee or go back to your Stone Age cave.

[@jonldn]

@@fasteddie9055 I think everyone has the right to put forward a POV and not be abused for doing so. Some of the points raised in the previous reply are valid and at least provide another view or have we lost the power to debate. Is this type of comment not the same as those in the 50’s who had a misguided view of Ruth being a “nightclub hostess”

[@wannamonslo9626]

Dilated pupils. She was either on dope or she really loved the camera lens.

[@patrickrichards2577]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿😵‍💫😱🤯🤔👍🎉

[@stephenbassett4317]

I believe that execution, regardless of the severity of the crime, is wrong and the ultimate hypocrisy. We educate our children to understand that to kill is wrong and then kill. The true indicator of a civilised society is reflected in how we treat those who break the rules, are disabled, are elderly or sick...

[@jadesmith6823]

She's on "only fans* bro 🤣

[@jnormanton]

She did go too far I believe that the law does provide death in both God's law and man's law.

[@jeanhawken4482]

Killing is not the answer. Hard work or being made to atone for unacceptable behaviour is a better outcome. He murdered her baby and she murdered him.

[@lucasich]

murder is murder and she was guilty!

[@pmoran7971]

Luis patently untrue, what about War, self defence, mental illness, and animals are murdered every minute of every day!

[@lucasich]

@@pmoran7971 obviously, this was not a war, self-defense nor mental illness; it was planned; if she had shoted when the man was attacking her, all charges would be changed. but, her sentence was right!

[@pmoran7971]

@@lucasich I think if you had a poll on this, you would be in the minority, do not forget the death penalty was abolished because of this and even Pierrepoint the executioner said he had difficulty carrying out the execution and regretted it until he died!

[@lucasich]

@@pmoran7971 Yes death penalty was abolished, and that's why several criminals and murderers are running and ruling the streets... feelings and thoughts never have to be mixed whit reality and objectivism... about polls... yes I'm in the minority that believes in justice and punishment.

[@pmoran7971]

@@lucasich If you are correct please explain the situation in America where even juveniles are executed but did you know there were two mass shootings every day so far in 2022 State execution is not a deterrent, do not be foolish!

[@harrynewiss4630]

The sentence was entirely appropriate

[@robinelliott-ni2eh]

Justified execution. She conspired and commited a execution, she planned it out then chased him down and gave him no chance to fight back. Im not doubting they had a toxic relationship however this isnt a natural way such a thing would happen, if it had happened in their home through spur of the moment she wouldnt have been executed.

[@grahammcewen981]

Fkn brilliant, look at the shit that’s going on in Britain just now, fkn unbelievable, how things have changed eh 🤬

[@speakupriseup4549]

No sympathy for premeditated murderers, especially when she callously made sure she pumped every bullet she had into an already incapacitated victim

[@simonstuddert-kennedy8854]

The jerk had it coming.

[@speakupriseup4549]

@Simon Studdert-Kennedy she could have left him, had him charged with domestic abuse, she chose cold blooded murder

[@patienceobongo]

Like US police do it

[@charliekavanagh1217]

The only English were a cruel lot

[@gregatkinson7276]

The title suggests a "GRIM" execution but that was not the case at all. It had me thinking "botched execution" obviously and that was misleading. Hanging when done in this way is not grim either.

[@jamescampbell6737]

A match made in hell, Course even if hanging here today Ruth would never of gone to gallows, The alleged human rights was founded in Dec 1948,,and yes,there's a protocol that states if you believe your life in danger and authorities fail to protect that life you can go to any extremes to protect your own life, well,this guy had violent reputation against Ruth,,,The punching her in stomach which caused miscarriage, well,there was life ended which he helped begin,,Mt once sister married guy like this in 60s same scenario, ye,he punched hell out of her when carrying 2nd child,that child would be born deformed and went through life of pure hell,,it was God send when she passed away in late 20s,,sad fr me to say but true,,it wasn't a life that's fr sure,,it was then decided to become patriot against domestic violence which course got out of control,,yes,to point victims of domestic violence began to lose lives,,,I'd dealt with 5 damn p,Ms beginning with war criminal A Blair right up to Boris Johnson, he would be ultimate which I'd wrote to direct communication unit couple months ago,,,course I had simple solution to domestic violence also kid bullying well before 1st victim who joined sad suicide club,,simple they just don't care and never have,but sure their days will arrive, but belated by decades,,,better rest there,jcvw

[@AzraelBloodstorm]

The sad part is that you just know that if she was a man, the ruling would probably have been different or more time would have gone into the case etc

[@eglin32]

Laughable

[@GandlafTheWhite]

Bullshit… only a feminist clown would come up with this conclusion

[@brucegeange7082]

Pierpont a man without a conscience

[@JamesVaughan]

I'd rather have Albert Pierrepoint as my hangman than John C. Woods.

[@dovidell]

Albert Pierrepoint. eventually called for the cessation of the death penalty ( along with many others) , although in today's ( insane ) world , it would be IMHO prudent to reintroduce such a sentence in the U.K

[@brucegeange7082]

@@dovidell I didn't know that. Thanks

[@jimmyavpi]

@@JamesVaughan both of them were mass murderers..

[@throttlegalsmagazineaustra7361]

@@dovidell No he didn't. He said he wasn't convinced the death penalty prevented a single murder. He later recanted this.

[@brucegeange7082]

Barbaric to kill a mother

[@jimmyavpi]

Barbaric to kill someone you say you love..

[@throttlegalsmagazineaustra7361]

Barbaric to kill a father. And in those days, you were hanged. What are you, some sort of revisionist or something?

[@GandlafTheWhite]

Women want equality, they got it. Deal with it beta boy

[@Eric-kn4yn]

@@jimmyavpi to kill a murderous female seems like she wasn't a good mother anyway

[@tanazinn8484]

I bet these MEN thoroughly enjoyed executing these poor WOMEN?🤔😒…no doubt they did!!!!!!…history proves that!?😠

[@robinelliott-ni2eh]

If Albert didn't do it someone else would've. Albert did it the most humane way possible. This "poor woman" was a brazen murderer.

[@PatrickJDoyle-bw3fu]

Seems the British have no problem with ending someone's life, my people, the Irish, know this all to well.

[@leeturton9254]

Nobody's perfect... including your Catholic nation 🤷

[@patienceobongo]

The 'british' follow orders from the moneylenders

[@tonyloechte9994]

The Ruth was on fire 😂

[@ranjitkarunakar6607]

It's a man's world.

[@maximasromulus2806]

⚫The suffering that she endured, must have been quite horrific. To change her entire mental state. Most anyone would probably commit this act. Given the exact same circumstances.⚫

[@mariolewin9705]

Kk

[@eglin32]

Rubbish

[@maximasromulus2806]

@@eglin32 ⚫Yes, "Rubbish", that was the precise word we were looking for.⚫

[@dixiederivatives]

The gender gap of male versus female executions is disgusting!

[@mbsevans]

Get a proper microphone.