UK's longest-serving female inmate set for release

Britain's longest-serving female prisoner is set to be released after nearly 39 years behind bars following a landmark Parole Board decision.

Maria Pearson, now 70, from Hartlepool, was convicted of the 1986 murder of her ex-boyfriend's new partner Janet Newton. She was 31 when she fatally stabbed the 23-year-old in what the trial judge described as a "cruel and vicious murder" born of obsessive jealousy.

Pearson was in a bigamous relationship with her second husband at the time of the attack, remaining married to her first husband. When her second partner, Malcolm Pearson, met Ms Newton and sought an annulment, Pearson feared losing their home and custody of their child. She tracked Ms Newton's movements and routines before fatally attacking her as she left her house. At trial, Pearson attempted to blame her husband, but this was dismissed, with the judge finding she was obsessive and jealous.

Sentenced to life imprisonment in 1987, Pearson completed her minimum 12-year tariff in October 1998. However, she remained incarcerated for a further 27 years due to repeated concerns about her behaviour and public safety. She spent two periods in open prison before being returned to higher-security facilities.

In a decision summary released on Tuesday, the Parole Board confirmed that Pearson's tenth review had been successful. The panel concluded in what it described as a "finely balanced decision" that she met the test for release. "The panel was satisfied that imprisonment was no longer necessary for the protection of the public and that she poses no more than a minimal risk of further serious offending," the summary stated.

Her release will be conditional on residing at a designated address, adhering to a curfew monitored by electronic tagging for a year, and maintaining no contact with the victim's family.

Pearson has now served longer than notorious killer Myra Hindley, who was imprisoned for 36 years.