BEN HULSE'S BRUTAL CRIME IN BANGOR: BOXER TURNED VIOLENT OFFENDER

Ben Francis Hulse, a man with a background as a promising boxer who once represented Wales at the youth level, has been convicted of a series of violent and disturbing crimes committed in Bangor. The incidents, which spanned over two months in August and September, involved multiple acts of brutality directed at his pregnant partner, Ellie Smith, and her two-year-old daughter.

According to court proceedings at Caernarfon Crown Court, Hulse, aged 30 and residing on Tanybryn Road in Maesgeirchen, carried out these assaults on three separate occasions. The first of these occurred on August 15, following a confrontation triggered by Ms. Smith discovering that Hulse had been in contact with another woman. During this altercation, Hulse's behavior escalated into violence and abuse. Prosecutor Matthew Dunford explained that Hulse slapped Ms. Smith across the face and, in the process, pushed her two-year-old daughter to the ground.

The situation worsened when Hulse retrieved a kitchen knife from inside the house and held it against Ms. Smith’s head. At one point, the knife slipped, causing a bleeding cut to her forehead. The incident was intense and prolonged, leaving Ms. Smith distressed and injured. A week later, another violent episode unfolded in Bangor, where Hulse assaulted Ms. Smith again. During this incident, Hulse retrieved a bag from the bedroom containing a ball-bearing firing gun. He loaded the weapon and shot at Ms. Smith’s legs, inflicting puncture wounds.

Further violence was inflicted on September 13, when Hulse threw a phone charger at Ms. Smith, hitting her on the head. Frightened and injured, she fled to a friend’s house but returned shortly afterward. During this encounter, Hulse produced the same gun and pointed it at her but did not fire. The assault continued as Hulse punched and kicked her in the stomach, with the barrister noting that Hulse told her, “you won’t need an abortion by the time I’ve finished.”

Following the attack, Ms. Smith sought help from police, and Hulse drove away in her car. He later abandoned the vehicle and hid in nearby bushes, where he threatened to shoot any officers who approached him. Hulse admitted to wounding Ms. Smith and also confessed to three charges of assaulting her two-year-old daughter.

Judge Huw Rees sentenced Hulse to four years and seven months in prison. In his remarks, the judge condemned the violence, stating, “This was not the controlled world of boxing which you once excelled but wanton violence for the sake of it.” Additionally, a restraining order was issued, prohibiting Hulse from contacting or approaching Ms. Smith and her child for a period of ten years, emphasizing the severity of the court’s response to these heinous acts.