Inmate's Affairs with Prison Staff Lead to Daring Hospital Escape in Woman's Car
A gang member who allegedly had romantic affairs with two female prison staff members orchestrated a dramatic escape from custody during a hospital appointment, fleeing in a woman's getaway car while still handcuffed.
Romantic Entanglements Behind Bars
Harri Pullen, 27, had been serving a four-year prison sentence when he developed inappropriate relationships with prison staff. Former prison nurse Elyse Hibbs, 27, was previously jailed for her relationship with Pullen while he was incarcerated. Ruth Shmylo, 26, was dismissed from her position as a prison officer following allegations of a romance with Pullen, though she was cleared of criminal charges during a trial.
The Hospital Escape
Pullen's escape occurred during a medical appointment at Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran, Gwent. The inmate had been taken to the hospital complaining of head pain after being arrested for drug dealing. While at the hospital, Pullen called his mother and then told guards he needed to use the toilet.
Upon exiting the bathroom, Pullen made a run for it through the hospital car park and ambulance bays while still wearing handcuffs. Getaway driver Sian Bates, 42, had positioned her Mercedes B150 near the hospital exit and opened the passenger door as Pullen approached. The handcuffed inmate jumped into the vehicle, which then sped away from the scene.
Week-Long Manhunt
Pullen remained at large for nearly a week following his escape. Police eventually traced him to a remote farmhouse, where he attempted to flee again by driving off in a Mercedes. Officers pursued the vehicle to a cul-de-sac, where Pullen tried to escape on foot but was confronted by police armed with a taser and a police dog, leading to his eventual compliance and arrest.
Legal Consequences
Pullen pleaded guilty to eleven charges, including possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, dangerous driving, and escaping lawful custody. During his court appearance via videolink from Cardiff Prison, Pullen played with his hair and chatted with prison officers throughout the hearing.
Judge Daniel Williams sentenced Pullen, who has no fixed address, to a total of six years in prison in May 2025. The judge noted the seriousness of the escape attempt and Pullen's criminal activities.
Getaway Driver's Sentencing
Sian Bates, a family friend from Bettws, Newport, admitted to assisting an offender. Her defense lawyer, David Maunder, argued that Bates was "vulnerable" at the time and addicted to class A drugs.
Judge Vanessa Francis told Bates: "To take active steps to assist someone in police custody to escape is the most serious act because in doing so you are preventing justice being done." Bates received a four-month prison sentence, suspended for twelve months, and was ordered to complete a twenty-five-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
Background of the Incident
Pullen had been free for only a few months before his arrest that led to the hospital visit. Plain-clothed officers had observed him acting suspiciously while riding an e-bike through Newport city center. When arrested, Pullen was found with five wraps of crack cocaine, a burner phone, an iPhone, and £90 in cash inside a black bum bag.
During the escape attempt, four female family members attempted to visit Pullen at the hospital but were told they could not stay. Prosecutor Alex Granville described how Pullen ran from officers for about twenty seconds before the getaway car appeared and whisked him away.
Psychological Factors
Julia Cox, defending Pullen, described her client as "immature" and suffering from "hypochondria," claiming he had believed he had a brain tumor for approximately four years. Cox argued that the escape was not pre-planned but rather opportunistic, stating that Pullen "lost his head" when his family arrived at the hospital.
The case highlights significant security concerns regarding prisoner transport and hospital visits, as well as the complex relationships that can develop between inmates and prison staff.
