Mary Bell

1. Mary Bell Hannah Gigler Pd 3

2. Early life • Born May 26, 1957 (age 55 as of right now) • She lived in Newcastle upon Tyne in England • Mary’s mother Betty (Nee McCrickett) was a prostitute • Mary was born when her mother was 17, her mother was never home, often travelling for work • Her father is not known, but she thinks it is Billy Bell • It is said that her mother tried to kill her as a baby and toddler but tried to cover it up as an accident • She was subject to sexual abuse • Her mother would force her to have sex with men when she was as young as 4

3. The tyneside killer • On 25 May 1968, the day before her 11th birthday, Mary Bell strangled four-year-old Martin Brown in a derelict house. • On 31 July 1968, the pair took part in the death, again by strangling, of three-year-old Brian Howe, on wasteland in the same Scotswoodarea. • Bell had later returned to his body to carve an "N" into his stomach with a razor; this was then changed using the same razor but with a different hand to an "M". • This was her first offence and it would follow her through her life.

4. Conviction • On 17 December 1968, at Newcastle Assizes, Norma Bell was acquitted but Mary Bell was convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. • The jury taking their lead from her diagnosis by court-appointed psychiatrists who described her as displaying "classic symptoms of psychopathy". • Manslaughter is just a nicer and less harsh version of murder and diminished responsibility is one of the rare terms that reduces the sentence.

5. Currently • After prison for 12 years she was given a new name and a new life. • She had a daughter who knew nothing of her earlier life but the media found them and they had to move. • As of now, Mary Bell has no new crimes or convictions. • It is said that in 2009 she became a grandmother.

6. Quotes • “I couldn't kill a bird by the neck or throat or anything, it's horrible that.” – Mary Bell • “I, Mary Flora Bell wish to make a statement. I want someone to write down what I have to say. I have been told that I need not say anything unless I wish to do so, but that whatever I say may be given in evidence.” • "I squeezed his neck and pushed up his lungs that's how you kill them. Keep your nose dry and don't tell anybody.“

7. Labeling Theory • I think Mary Bell came about this behavior form the labeling theory. This theory comes from people who commit these crimes from other actions. Mary Bell has such a tough childhood and she was put through so much abuse that her crimes and behavior might have been derived from these earlier experiences. This theory best supports what she feels, she saw her mother very rarely and when she did, it was not a good site. She was never home and there for her and when she was Mary was subject to men all over her and it took away her childhood. When she hurt these little boys it could have been from a lost childhood or just in general to get back at her mother for hurting her so badly.

8. Rehabilitation • I do not think that Mary Bell should have to go back to jail or face anymore charges for what she has done. She did her time and now she has changed her name and started a new life. She has not been convicted of any other crimes and she is finally getting to live the life she deserves. The families of those boys will always be different but Mary Bell is now a different persona and deserves to live like one.