A man jailed for killing two elderly sisters in 1995 was released on licence in 2020 and housed next door to a 73-year-old woman, who he later beat to death.
Lawrence Bierton, 61, was yesterday warned he faces a whole-life term when he is sentenced for the murder of 73-year-old Pauline Quinn.
Prosecutor John Cammegh told the brief plea hearing that Pauline had suffered a “number of blows” with a “degree of force”.
Paramedics found the pensioner dying in her bungalow last November after concerns were raised when she could not be reached.
Bierton was arrested 30 miles away the next morning. He had been driving Pauline’s car.
Judge Gregory Dickinson demanded to know why the Probation Service had allowed Bierton to be housed next-door to a woman who was a similar age to his previous victims.
Bierton murdered sisters Elsie Gregory, 72, and Aileen Dudhill, 79, at their home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, in 1995.
One woman was bludgeoned to death, while the other was stabbed.
Pauline’s neighbours told the Mirror they did not know Bierton was a convicted killer when he moved in to their street in Kilton, near Worksop, Notts.
But they said he had been terrorising them with late-night drugs calls and demands for cash.
Judge Dickinson told Nottingham crown court: “Mr Bierton was living at that address with permission of people supervising his life.”
Bierton looked emotionless as he pleaded guilty to murdering mum-of-three Pauline via video link.
He also admitted a second charge of theft, which replaced an original count of robbery.
Det Insp Steve Wragg, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Bierton is an extremely violent and dangerous individual who is now facing a life sentence for this appalling attack.”
Bierton will be sentenced by a High Court judge on June 10.
