Mary Flora Bell was 11 years old when she caused a huge sensation in 1968 after killing two young boys. Martin Brown, one of the boys, was only four years old and was found asphyxiated in a derelict house on May 25, 1968. A couple of days later, a local nursery school was broken into and police found four notes, one which referenced the murder of Martin Brown.
On July 31, 1968, Brian Howe, a three year old boy, was found dead on waste ground off of Scottswood Road. He was strangled and his body had a number of small cuts on it. The police began to investigate, interviewing over 1200 children. Two girls, Norma Joyce Bell, and Mary Flora Bell (not related), gave some responses that police deemed suspicious and evasive. Each girl was questioned several times and their story changed twice.
After realizing they were being suspected, the two accused each other of “squeezing“ Brian Howe’s throat. Mary accused Norma of making the cuts on the body using a razor blade. Both of the girls were arrested on August 5 and charged with murder. Mary had said, ”That’s all right by me.”
Mary Bell was born to Betty Bell, a 17 year old prostitute, who married Billy Bell, an armed robber and career criminal. Mary was raised in a bad area and developed a reputation for stealing, vandalism and attacking other children.
During their trial in December of 1968, Mary was confident and self possessed. The girls both admitted to breaking into the school and writing the notes that were found. After nine days of evidence, Norma, who was confused and quite overawed throughout the proceedings, was found not guilty. Mary was found to be guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Mary spent eight years in young offenders institutes until she was transferred to Moore Court open prison. She escaped from here with two other boys in 1977. They stayed away for two days and was found. She was released in 1980, this time with a new identity.
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