On 20 June 1955, Ellis appeared in the Number One Court at the Old Bailey, London, before Mr Justice Havers.
In a 2010 television interview Mr Justice Havers's grandson, actor Nigel Havers, said his grandfather had written to the Home Secretary Gwilym Lloyd George recommending a reprieve as he regarded it as a crime passionnel, but received a curt refusal, which was still held by the family.