Child killer granted anonymity

Mary Bell killed two other children in the 1960's

Child killer Mary Bell and her teenage daughter have been granted a temporary extension of an injunction banning publication of their identities.

A court order protecting their anonymity was due to run out on 25 May when the daughter turns 18.

Now they have been granted an extension to the order, pending a full hearing of their bid for a "perpetual injunction" on 19 September.

The pair live together and Mary Bell now has a fresh identity.

Their counsel in the High Court hearing had asked Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, President of the Family Division, to continue the orders until the case for a "perpetual injunction" can be heard.

In December 1968, Mary Bell, who was 11, was convicted of the manslaughter of two small boys aged four and three, on Tyneside.

Fresh identity

Edward Fitzgerald QC, for mother and daughter, said they would require protection beyond the lapsing of the order "both from the risk of attack and for the protection of their private life and the rehabilitation of the mother".

Mr Fitzgerald said there was evidence before the court to substantiate that risk.

Desmond Browne QC, for News Group Newspapers and the Mirror Group, said that they were adopting a responsible position and did not oppose the continuation until the hearing of the injunction imposed in May 1998.

Dame Elizabeth heard the daughter had now become a normal, happy young woman leading a law-abiding life.

Right to privacy

Mr Fitzgerald said: "Quite apart from the question of physical risk, there is a right to privacy in the mother and a separate right to privacy in the daughter, and a right to freedom from harassment which both of them have independently.

"We would say that both of these are threatened by the unrestrained publication of their identities or whereabouts."

In December 1968 Mary Bell was sentenced to be detained at Her Majesty's Pleasure.

She was released on licence in 1980.