Mary Bell (1957) was 11 years old when she was convicted of the manslaughter of 2 young boys in December 1968.

She was diagnosed with a psychological illness prior to the conviction. After being on remand she was transferred to a young offenders’ institution in Merseyside in early 1969. In November 1973, she was transferred to HM Prison Styal in Chesire, & 3 years later to Moor Court open prison.

Mary Bell was released from prison in May 1980 & was granted anonymity, which included a new name.

In 1972, Gitta Sereny published her “portrait” of Mary Bell. Long interested in why people behave badly, she was interested in Mary Bell’s childhood circumstances. She concludes that Mary Bell was an abused child, a child her mother didn’t want & often left alone.

The Case of Mary Bell was republished in 1994.