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  "path": "/news/longest-serving-female-inmate-stabbing-love-rival-released",
  "publishedAt": "2026-07-02T04:18:21.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Man dodges jail after falsely claiming £30,000 in Covid loans during pandemic",
    "Crocodile attack toddler's family shares statement after three-year-old was 'thrown' into enclosure",
    "Ex-police officer found guilty of misconduct after creating 'toxic' culture on WhatsApp chat groups",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nBritain's long-serving female inmate, who was jailed for stabbing a romantic rival 40 years ago, is set to be released from prison.\n\nMaria Pearson, now 70, from Hartlepool, stabbed her ex-boyfriend's new partner Janet Newton to death in 1986.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nShe stabbed Newton 17 times in the street, at least twice stabbing her through the heart.\n\nPearson was subsequently jailed for life, withe a minimum tariff of 12 years.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\nThe judge described the murder as \"cruel and violent\" at the time.\n\nBut now after her 10th Parole Board consideration, she will be freed.\n\nIn the decision summary, officials said that at the time of the murder, Pearson, then 31, was in relationships with both her second and first husband.\n\nHer second husband then met Ms Newton and decided to annul the marriage.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nPearson then feared she would lose custody of her child - leading to her violent actions.\n\nShe began to track Newton's movements and routines, and fatally attacked her as she left her house.\n\nPearson blamed her husband, but the judge dismissed her claims at the time, finding her to be \"obsessive and jealous\", the summary added.\n\nShe completed her minimum tariff in October 1998 but was denied parole nine times.\n\n### CRIME - READ MORE:\n\n\n\n\n  * Man dodges jail after falsely claiming £30,000 in Covid loans during pandemic\n  * Crocodile attack toddler's family shares statement after three-year-old was 'thrown' into enclosure\n  * Ex-police officer found guilty of misconduct after creating 'toxic' culture on WhatsApp chat groups\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nNot freed in 1998, she spent two periods in an open prison.\n\nBut she was eventually returned to higher-security jails because of concerns about her behaviour.\n\nDespite her advanced age, several conditions of release have been imposed.\n\nPearson is set to be electronically tagged and have a curfew applied.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nShe must also live a a designated address and is restricted from contacting her victim's family.\n\nIn 2023, the family of her ex-husband said she \"should never be released\" and labelled her a \"psycho\".\n\nA summary of the panel’s decision said: \"The panel concluded in a finely balanced decision that Pearson met the test for release.\n\n\"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.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "UK's longest serving female inmate who was jailed for stabbing love rival 40 years ago to be released"
}