Mary Bell
Mary Flora Bell is a British woman convicted in 1968 of manslaughter for the deaths of two young boys, Martin Brown and Brian Howe, when she was 11 years old.
Mary Flora Bell is a British woman who, at age 11, was convicted of manslaughter in the 1968 deaths of two young boys in Newcastle upon Tyne. The court accepted diminished responsibility, and she was sentenced to detention at Her Majesty's pleasure. She was released in 1980 and later granted lifelong anonymity.
Early life
Mary Flora Bell was born on 26 May 1957 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. She was a child when the crimes occurred and later became one of the most notorious figures in British criminal history.
The killings and trial
In 1968, Bell was accused in the deaths of two young boys, Martin Brown (aged four) and Brian Howe (aged three). At trial she was convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, while her alleged accomplice, Norma Joyce Bell, was acquitted of all charges.
Sentence and release
Bell was ordered to be detained at Her Majesty's pleasure, which amounted to an indefinite custodial sentence. She was released in 1980 after serving a period in custody.
Later life and anonymity
Bell was later granted lifelong anonymity under court order. Public reporting has continued to refer to her case because of its lasting notoriety in British criminal history.
Key facts
- Mary Bell was 11 when convicted of manslaughter for the deaths of two boys.
- The court accepted diminished responsibility, leading to a manslaughter conviction.
- She was sentenced to detention at Her Majesty's pleasure and released in 1980.
- She was granted lifelong anonymity.
- Her case is a landmark in discussions of juvenile justice and criminal responsibility.
Mary Bell's case is of interest to Canadian readers as a landmark child-crime case in British legal history, often discussed in relation to criminal responsibility, juvenile justice, and diminished responsibility.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Mary Bell?
What was Mary Bell convicted of?
How old was Mary Bell when the crimes happened?
Who were the victims?
What sentence did Mary Bell receive?
Was Mary Bell ever released?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_BellSupports: Birth name, conviction, diminished responsibility, sentence, release, and status as Britain's youngest female killer.
- Crime+Investigation — https://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/crime-files/mary-bellSupports: Biographical timeline, ages, victims' names and ages, and conviction details.
- The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/the-northerner/2014/sep/12/mary-bell-child-killerSupports: Escape from open prison, release year, and later anonymity.
- Google Books — https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Case_of_Mary_Bell.html?id=l48srhWbby0CSupports: Trial details, ages of Mary Bell and Norma Bell, acquittal of Norma Bell, and manslaughter verdict.