The UK's longest serving female prisoner could be released after nearly 40 years inside. Maria Pearson jailed for life in 1987 for slaying love rival Janet Newton, stabbing her 17 times after stalking her through the streets of Hartlepool in 1986.
The attack was so brutal that the police at first thought the building society worker had died after a road hit-and-run.
The killer was told at the time that she would serve at least 11 years, but she remains in jail after not taking part in rehabilitation schemes. Now, aged 69, the mother of three could be set free at her latest parole hearing, her 10th, next month.
She was once moved to an open prison, but was removed after three months.
Pearson once again warranted a closed environment, officials deemed, due to concerns about her behavior, The Sun reports.
The latest hearing was told Pearson had complex behavioral problems and described incidents of her being “abusive and aggressive” to staff, our sister site TeessideLive reported.
“An oral hearing has been listed,” a parole board spokesperson told the newspaper.
“It is scheduled to take place in January 2026.”
It is understood that she will be assessed over two days by specialists.
Moors murderer Myra Hindley, now aged 60, served 36 years in prison before her death in 2002 after murdering five children with her boyfriend Ian Brady in the 1960s.
Serial killer Rose West has been in jail for 30 years. She is still alive.