Mary Bell

Mary Flora Bell ScotswoodA

Mary Bell (born 26 May 1957) is a British woman who, in 1968, at the age of 11, was convicted of the manslaughter of two young boys in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. The case is notable for the age of the perpetrator and the nature of the crimes, which shocked the nation and led to significant media coverage and public interest.

Early Life

Mary Flora Bell was born in Scotswood, a suburb of Newcastle upon Tyne. Her mother, Betty, was a prostitute who was often absent from the home, leaving Mary in the care of her father, Billy Bell, a habitual criminal. Mary's early life was marked by neglect and abuse, which some experts believe contributed to her later actions.

Crimes

On 25 May 1968, the day before her 11th birthday, Mary Bell strangled 4-year-old Martin Brown in an abandoned house. Two months later, on 31 July 1968, she and a friend, Norma Bell (no relation), strangled 3-year-old Brian Howe in a wasteland near the same area. Both boys were found with signs of asphyxiation, and Brian Howe's body had additional mutilations.

Trial and Conviction

Mary Bell was charged with the murders of Martin Brown and Brian Howe. During the trial, which took place in December 1968, the court heard evidence of her troubled upbringing and psychological state. The jury found her guilty of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, and she was sentenced to be detained at Her Majesty's pleasure, effectively an indefinite sentence.

Incarceration and Release

Mary Bell was initially held in a secure unit for young offenders and later transferred to various prisons as she grew older. In 1980, at the age of 23, she was released on license after serving 12 years. She was granted anonymity and given a new identity to protect her from public scrutiny.

Life After Release

Since her release, Mary Bell has lived under various pseudonyms. In 1998, she collaborated with author Gitta Sereny on the book "Cries Unheard," which details her life and the circumstances surrounding her crimes. The publication of the book sparked controversy and debate about the ethics of profiting from criminal notoriety.

Legacy

The case of Mary Bell has had a lasting impact on the British legal system, particularly in the treatment of juvenile offenders. It has also been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and academic studies, exploring the psychological and social factors that contribute to juvenile delinquency.

See Also

• Juvenile delinquency
• List of youngest killers
• Gitta Sereny
• Newcastle upon Tyne

Further Reading

• Cries Unheard by Gitta Sereny