Punk band named after notorious UK child killer forced to cancel Newcastle gig

A punk band named after the notorious child killer, Mary Bell has been forced to cancel a concert in Newcastle following outrage from the families of Bell’s victims and other locals.

The French group, who chose their name specifically after the schoolgirl who killed two small children 1960s, were booked to perform alongside other punk bands at the Cumberland Arms, Ouseburn.

But pub bosses have now pulled the plug on the event, which was due to happen on April 18, following outrage over the band being invited to perform in the very city where she committed her heinous crimes.

Sharon Richardson, 46, the sister of Bell’s first victim, was outraged at the news of the concert.

Her four-year-old brother Martin Brown was strangled to death by Bell in at a derelict house in 1968, she said: "They are making money out of my brother's death. It's bad enough that they have named the band after Mary Bell, but then to go on and promote it in the town where these things happened is sick.

"It just feels like it's a free for all, and every time something like this happens it brings it all back for us."

Following a campaign against their gig by Newcastle residents, the Parisian band have pulled out of their appearance, which they said they originally planned because their friends live in the UK city.

Announcing it on their Facebook page, the band wrote: "When we chose the name Mary Bell some years ago, it wasn't to praise the horrible crimes committed by Mary Bell in 1968 but rather as an homage to punk bands with provocative names and because we're fascinated by scary stories, especially ones with serial killers and involving complex psychology profiles.

"We understand why it can sound awful for someone who knew the victims, and we're sorry about that and what happened many moons ago, yet, our coming to Newcastle is not a provocation of any kind for us.

"We have friends living in Newcastle."

David Hines, founder of the National Victims’ Association said: "It's just sick. I think it's outrageous, it beggars belief.

"They are just after publicity. Coming to Newcastle must be deliberate. There will have been a lot of planning and research gone into that. It's not an accident."

The Cumberland Arms has been approached for comment.