Convicted double murderer Lawrence Bierton was allowed out on licence after killing two pensioners in Rotherham only to kill his elderly neighbour the following year. Bierton pleaded guilty at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday, April 1, to the murder of 73-year-old grandma Pauline Quinn after he killed her in Rayton Spur, Worksop, on Tuesday, November 9, 2021.
He was released on May 11, 2020, after serving part of a life sentence for killing pensioners Aileen Dudhill (79), and 72-year-old Elsie Gregory in Herringthorpe Valley Road, Rotherham, on June 25, 1995. Fuller details of the killing of Mrs Quinn, who had a fractured skull, were not heard today and will be outlined when he is sentenced on June 10
Bierton, appearing on a link from HMP Manchester, pleaded guilty to Mrs Quinn's murder and theft of her car keys on November 9. Judge Gregory Dickinson QC, the Recorder of Nottingham, asked a probation officer on the link: "Am I correct to assume he was living at the address either with direction or permission of those responsible for supervising his life licence?"
Read more: Brothers prosecuted after safe containing £49k was found in child's bedroom
The probation officer said she understood probation were aware of his address.
The judge said an inquest will look at other wider issues. He said: "It seems highly likely or inevitable the sentencing judge will want to know more about it".
He asked for a report to explain how it was the defendant came to be living next door to Mrs Quinn and a report to deal generally with Bierton's performance and compliance with the conditions of his parole licence. That will come from an offender management unit.
In a previous statement, Pauline’s family said: "The whole family is totally in shock. Pauline was so full of joy and we just can't believe what has happened."
Detective Inspector Steve Wragg, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Pauline’s tragic death devastated her family and shocked her friends and neighbours in their community.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences remain with them and I hope today’s guilty pleas bring some degree of closure for them.
“I am pleased Bierton decided to plead guilty which has spared Pauline’s family having to go through the emotional ordeal of a trial".
To read all the biggest and best stories first sign up to read our newsletters here.
