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Britain's longest-serving female inmate could finally go free

Home> News

Updated 08:21 15 Feb 2023 GMTPublished 07:31 15 Feb 2023 GMT

Britain's longest-serving female inmate could finally go free

Maria Pearson was found guilty of murder in 1987

Anish Vij

Anish Vij

The woman believed to be one of Britain's longest serving prisoners will be told within weeks if she will be freed from jail.

Maria Pearson was put behind bars for 35 years after stabbing a love rival in 1986.

Maria married Malcolm Pearson in 1986, just days after the birth of their daughter Rachel. However, the pair split after their relationship became 'intense and stormy'.

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Malcolm then began a relationship with building society worker Janet Newton.

Just two days after the new couple got engaged, mum of three Maria stabbed Newton 17 times and killed her in the streets of Hartlepool.

She had been stalking Newton for days.

Maria Pearson was put behind bars for 35 years after stabbing a love rival in 1986.
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After Maria, who was 31 at the time, was found guilty a year after the murder, she was ordered to serve a minimum of 12 years in prison prior to parole.

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However, she ended up serving another 23-years, reports the Daily Mail.

Maria has served one year less than child killer Myra Hindley.

In 2006, Maria's parole request to be moved to an open prison was rejected as the judge claimed that she was still 'in denial' over what she had done.

Major concerns also remained over Maria's history of 'manipulating' staff for her own means two years prior when she was given a stint in an open prison.

The prisoner displayed an unwillingness and inability to conform with authority.

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The woman believed to be one of Britain's longest serving prisoners will be told within weeks if she will be freed from jail.
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Pearson's last parole occurred back in July 2020 and it was rejected, in part, due to her poor behaviour in prison.

The judge also rejected her claim of 'political motivation' and that the Secretary of State's decision would stand.

A source recently told the Daily Mail: "Maria is the prison system's forgotten inmate. When jailed, Three Men and a Baby was the biggest movie of the year and Rick Astley was Number One.

"They are being extra cautious."

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Maria was jailed under a scheme called IPP, or Imprisonment for Public Protection.

A Parole Board hearing was held last month (17 January) for Maria, but extra checks were ordered and it was adjourned.

A Parole Board spokesperson said: "The oral hearing in the case of Maria Pearson has been adjourned.

"Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority."

LADbible has contacted the Parole Board for further comment.

Featured Image Credit: Evening Gazette / Handout

Topics: Crime, UK News

Anish Vij
Anish Vij

Anish is a Journalist at LADbible Group and is a GG2 Young Journalist of the Year 2025. He has a Master's degree in Multimedia Journalism and a Bachelor's degree in International Business Management. Apart from that, his life revolves around the ‘Four F’s’ - family, friends, football and food. Email: [email protected]

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@Anish_Vij

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