Maria Pearson, 70, Britain’s longest-serving female prisoner, has been recalled to jail just weeks after being granted release. The Ministry of Justice confirmed that Pearson, a Hartlepool resident, was returned to custody for breaching the conditions of her licence.
Pearson was originally sentenced to life imprisonment in 1987 for the murder of Janet Newton, the new partner of her ex-boyfriend. At the time, the trial judge described the killing of the 23-year-old victim as “cruel and vicious.” Following her conviction, Pearson was ordered to serve a minimum of 12 years, a term she completed in October 1998. However, she remained incarcerated for decades, with the Parole Board denying her release multiple times due to concerns regarding her behavior and risk profile.
This report draws on information published by theadvertiserseries.co.uk.
Her eventual release earlier this year was subject to strict oversight, including mandatory residence at a designated address, a curfew monitored by electronic tagging, and specific restrictions to prevent contact with the victim’s family. The HM Prison and Probation Service stated that the recall demonstrates the rigour of the current supervision system for long-term offenders.
Lynn Hamilton, the sister of the victim, expressed relief at the decision, telling Teesside Live that she hopes Pearson remains in prison for the remainder of her life, citing the breach as evidence that Pearson is not suitable for society.