Police on the Hunt for ‘Loverboy’ Lag Who Juggled Affairs with Nurse and Prison Officer
A notorious inmate, known as “Loverboy,” is currently evading capture after allegedly engaging in romantic relationships with both a prison officer and a nurse while serving time. Harri Pullen, 27, is now the target of a police manhunt following his release from incarceration, where he maintained these illicit affairs.
Pullen is accused of developing an “inappropriate relationship” with prison nurse Elyse Hobbs, 27, while also making frequent phone calls to prison officer Ruth Shmylo, 26, professing his love for her during his time behind bars. The communications between Pullen and Hobbs were recorded by prison officials, revealing the extent of their five-month relationship.
After completing his sentence, Pullen was released but is now wanted by authorities for suspected involvement in drug dealing. In connection with his escape, four women have been arrested for allegedly aiding him.
According to Gwent Police, Pullen was last spotted around 3:45 PM on Wednesday, March 26, outside the Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran, where he had been taken following his arrest on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs. Witnesses reported that he left the hospital’s car park in a black Vauxhall Insignia.
A police spokesperson stated, “Four women, aged 28, 31, 41, and 58, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. The 58-year-old woman has since been released on police bail, while the other three remain in custody.” Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Pullen’s whereabouts to come forward, quoting log reference 2500095727.
Shmylo, who was previously accused of misconduct in a public office, was found not guilty following a trial. Pullen’s relationship with nurse Hobbs began at HMP Parc in Bridgend, Wales, where she was penalized for her flirtatious phone calls with the inmate.
- Hobbs had worked at the prison since September 2018, first meeting Pullen while providing him medical treatment.
- She was sentenced to six months in prison for her role in the scandal.
- Pullen himself was originally sentenced to five years in 2019 for his participation in a drug network that inundated South Wales with cocaine and heroin.
- His sentence was extended by an additional four years and nine months after authorities discovered a smuggled mobile phone during a transfer.
After being relocated to HMP Manchester in May 2021, Pullen reportedly had his mother and a friend track down Shmylo on Instagram, leading to further communications. Their relationship involved not just flirtatious exchanges but also phone sex, with Shmylo allegedly meeting Pullen’s mother as well.
Evidence presented in Cardiff Crown Court indicated that Pullen had initiated contact with Shmylo by passing her a mobile number on a slip of paper. Their relationship escalated with “teenage-style” conversations and intimate chats, as he frequently expressed his affection for her.
Despite being transferred 200 miles away, Pullen and Shmylo continued their communications. Their affair came to light when prison authorities began recording their calls after Shmylo was added to Pullen’s visitor list.
Following her arrest, Shmylo made several admissions to the police, including instances of phone sex with Pullen, although she claimed to have urged him to “stop.” Ultimately, she was dismissed from her position but continued to communicate with the inmate, even after being cleared of all misconduct charges.
As law enforcement continues its search for Harri Pullen, the tangled web of relationships and criminal activity surrounding him continues to unravel.
