Prisoner's Escape Aided by Getaway Driver After Inappropriate Jail Relationships
A gang member who engaged in inappropriate relationships with a prison nurse and had phone sex with a guard managed to escape police custody with the assistance of a female getaway driver, according to court proceedings. Harri Pullen, 27, a prisoner at HMP Parc in Bridgend, formed a romantic connection with jail nurse Elyse Hibbs, 27, and participated in phone sex with prison officer Ruth Shmylo, 26, over a four-year period during his incarceration.
Escape from Hospital and Subsequent Capture
Pullen was arrested on April 2 of last year after being caught dealing drugs while riding an e-bike in Newport, just months after his release from prison. Following his arrest, he was taken to The Grange Hospital in handcuffs for medical treatment due to complaints of head pain. While at the hospital, Pullen called his mother and requested to use the toilet, then seized the opportunity to flee. He ran through the car park and ambulance park, where getaway driver Sian Bates, 42, pulled up in her Mercedes B150 and opened the passenger door for him to escape.
The fugitive remained at large for nearly a week before police traced him to a remote farmhouse outside Newport. Upon discovery, Pullen attempted to flee again by driving off in a Mercedes, but officers pursued the vehicle to a cul-de-sac. He tried to escape on foot but was threatened with a Taser and a police dog, eventually complying with arrest.
Sentencing and Mitigating Circumstances
Pullen pleaded guilty to 11 charges, including possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, dangerous driving, and escaping lawful custody. Judge Daniel Williams sentenced him to a total of six years behind bars, with the term set to begin in May 2025. During the hearing, Pullen appeared via videolink from Cardiff Prison, where he was observed playing with his hair and speaking with prison officers.
David Maunder, mitigating for getaway driver Sian Bates, described her as 'vulnerable' at the time due to an addiction to class A drugs. Bates, of Bettws, Newport, admitted to assisting an offender and received a 12-month suspended prison sentence, along with a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement. Judge Vanessa Francis emphasized that assisting someone to escape police custody 'is the most serious act because in doing so you are preventing justice being done.'
Inappropriate Relationships with Prison Staff
Former prison nurse Elyse Hibbs was previously jailed for six months after admitting misconduct in a public office for her relationship with Pullen. She claimed she was 'pressurised' into flirting with him, but Recorder of Cardiff Tracey Lloyd-Clarke noted that Hibbs knew her actions were wrong and failed to report the contact despite training. Following her release, the Nursing Midwifery Council suspended her from the profession for 12 months due to impaired fitness to practise.
Prison officer Ruth Shmylo was sacked from her job at HMP Parc over allegations of a romance with Pullen, including phone sex calls from his cell. However, she was cleared of criminal misconduct in a public office during a trial in December 2023. Shmylo testified that she cried when Pullen initiated phone sex and repeatedly asked him to stop, but he became angry. Defence lawyer Claire Wilks argued that Shmylo should have been treated as a whistleblower for reporting corruption among other staff, but instead faced retaliation and assault from colleagues.
Broader Context and Legal Outcomes
The case highlights issues of misconduct and vulnerability within the prison system. Pullen's escape and subsequent crimes underscore the challenges in managing inmates with manipulative behaviors, as noted by defence lawyers. The legal proceedings resulted in significant consequences for all involved, including prison sentences, suspensions, and professional repercussions, emphasizing the seriousness of such breaches of trust and law.
