Key facts
- Maria Pearson, 70, has been recalled to prison weeks after her release.
- Pearson had served nearly 40 years for the 1986 stabbing murder of Janet Newton.
- Her release was based on the Parole Board's assessment that she no longer posed a public danger.
- Pearson violated conditions of her licence, leading to her recall.
- The victim's sister criticized the Parole Board's decision and expressed relief at Pearson's recall.
Maria Pearson, 70, who held the distinction of being Britain's longest-serving female prisoner, has been returned to custody just weeks after her release. Pearson was freed in August after serving nearly 40 years for the 1986 stabbing murder of Janet Newton in Hartlepool. The Parole Board had determined she no longer posed a danger to the public.
However, Pearson has since been recalled to prison after violating a condition of her licence. Lynn Hamilton, Ms Newton's sister, expressed that this was the "most positive update" she and her family could have hoped for. Hamilton criticized the Parole Board's decision, stating that a prison psychologist had recommended an open prison first due to a high likelihood of re-offending. She added that the Parole Board needed to take accountability for dismissing recommendations and making the wrong decision.
Pearson, a mother of three, committed the murder when she was 31, stabbing the 23-year-old Ms Newton 17 times in an act driven by hatred and jealousy. Pearson had stalked Ms Newton before the attack, which occurred shortly after Ms Newton and Pearson's former partner announced their engagement. Pearson received a life sentence with an Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence, which was abolished in 2012 but not applied retrospectively. Her minimum term ended in 1998, but she had nine subsequent parole applications rejected. She was transferred to an open prison twice but returned to higher-security facilities due to conduct concerns.
In June, the Parole Board determined Pearson met the criteria for release, with requirements including residing at a specified address, adhering to a curfew with electronic monitoring for 12 months, and avoiding contact with the victim's relatives. Following her recall, a spokesperson for HM Prison and Probation Service stated that prisoners on licence are under tight supervision and are returned to custody if they break the rules. A recall review will now be referred back to the Parole Board to determine if Pearson should remain incarcerated.