A serious further offence review has been completed after convicted double murderer Lawrence Bierton was allowed out on licence - only to kill his elderly neighbour the following year in Worksop. Lawrence Bierton is awaiting sentencing for the murder of 73-year-old grandma Pauline Quinn after he killed her in Rayton Spur, Worksop, on November 9, 2021.
The shocking crime happened within two years of his release 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. Bierton's case is currently listed for mention at Nottingham Crown Court on January 27.
After he pleaded guilty to Mrs Quinn's murder and theft of her car keys on November 9 at a hearing in April last year, one MP led calls for an independent inquiry into why a dangerous offender was released before murdering his elderly neighbour. Now a Probation Service spokesperson has told Nottinghamshire Live: “A serious further offence review has now been completed and it would be inappropriate to comment further until the victims have had the chance to hear the review’s findings after sentencing.
“This was an appalling crime and our thoughts are with Pauline Quinn’s family".
Serious further offences by those under Probation Service supervision are incredibly rare, with fewer than 0.5% of offenders supervised by the Probation Service going on to commit serious further offences. But each one is investigated fully so the Probation Service can take action where necessary.
The Parole Board is responsible for determining whether prisoners serving life sentences are safe for release and those deemed to be are supervised by the Probation Service with strict licence conditions set by the Parole Board. The Government has announced a package of landmark reforms designed to restore public confidence in the parole system, including a tougher Parole Board release test to ensure prisoners who still pose a risk are kept behind bars and a new power for the Justice Secretary to block the release of the most dangerous offenders in the interests of public safety. More information can be found at www.gov.uk/government/news/parole-reform-to-keep-dangerous-prisoners-off-streets
'My thoughts at this time are with her family, friends and neighbours'
Last August, Brendan Clark-Smith, MP for Bassetlaw, led calls for an independent inquiry into why Bierton was housed at the address within his constituency. He said: "Our community was shocked and saddened at the violent and tragic death of Pauline Quinn. My thoughts at this time are with her family, friends and neighbours. My staff and I have been working with the community since this tragedy and I share their relief that the killer of Ms Quinn pleaded guilty, saving the further upset of a drawn-out trial.
"After the guilty plea, I hope that justice will be delivered, and Lawrence Bierton spends the rest of his life behind bars. At the conclusion of this case, I now call for an independent inquiry to find out why such a dangerous offender, with a history of violence towards elderly people, including two murders, was housed in this area.
"What risk assessment took place prior to him being housed in this property? How were any safeguarding concerns raised handled by the Probation Service? Were complaints to the local council acted upon?"
After Bierton pleaded guilty to Mrs Quinn's murder, Detective Inspector Steve Wragg, of Nottinghamshire Police, had 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 the 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."
In a previous statement, Mrs Quinn'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."
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