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News

Maxine Carr ... how would you feel if she moved close to you?

63 replies

littlemissbossy · 25/07/2004 17:27

I don't know whether anyone has read the Mail on Sunday today, but in her first interview since her release, Maxine Carr is quoted as being "grateful" that many people who recognise her are polite and has said that an elderly couple she'd met told her she'd been poorly treated.

If you recognised her in the street, how would you feel? particularly if you found out she was living close to you?
Opinions please mumsnetters.

OP posts:

Report

Rowlers · 25/07/2004 17:33

I pity her in many ways - I think she must be pretty inadequate to be hooked up with the likes of Ian Huntley don't you? He is the murderer, not her, yet she could have grassed him up - she MUST have known. Dunno, difficult one. On the other hand, don't we all deserve a second chance? I think I would feel differently if it were Huntley.

Janh · 25/07/2004 17:50

I think she has been treated appallingly by the tabloid press - particularly the Sun, who have gone out of their way to find out where she is and announce it to the rabble, and then complained at the cost of policing her security.

She was not in any way responsible for what he did, only for believing him and covering up so it took longer for him to be arrested. What she did made no difference to the events or the final outcome. She should not have to be pathetically grateful for crumbs of humanity from society. Much of society should be ashamed of itself.

iota · 25/07/2004 17:52

well said janh

littlemissbossy · 25/07/2004 17:56

I agree with you Janh, but would you welcome her as a neighbour? or happily chat to her in the supermarket queue?

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gothicmama · 25/07/2004 17:59

lmb if you agree with Janh then you would welcome her anywhere and give her the benefit of the doubt.

colette · 25/07/2004 18:00

I agree with Janh- if I saw her in the street or in a supermarket queque I would ignore her - ie: treat her the same as anyone else I don't know. Also imo the Daily Mail loves a witchunt and I never read it.

ZolaPola · 25/07/2004 18:30

she's no Myra Hindley, and has been made out to be so too often - she did not murder anyone! IMO she is misguided, rather silly and v unlucky in love. she's done her time and should now be left to get on with her life in the obscurity she deserves.

littlemissbossy · 25/07/2004 18:32

I agree that everyone (well most people) deserve a second chance and as a child I was used to hearing all sorts of tales along these lines because my Dad used to train people from prison on a day release scheme ... well, until someone escaped!!!
I agree that if I saw Maxine Carr in the street I would ignore her and if I had her as a neighbour, I would acknowledge her, but nothing more if I'm honest.
Just interested in peoples opinions that's all and not meaning to be controversial.

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Janh · 25/07/2004 18:36

Sorry, didn't make it clear, yes I would welcome her as a neighbour - ie I would not fear for my kids' safety, though having Sun journos camped in the street would be less welcome . I would also willingly chat to her in a supermarket queue.

Lisa78 · 25/07/2004 18:36

hmm - have to be hypocritical here
Agree with janh completely
Except, I wouldn't want here living next door to me - can't even explain why, I would just be unhappy about it.
My friend went to a dinner party, going back a bit here, and was introduced to a woman she and her DP were sure they had met before, it was only later at home they realised it was Sonia Sutcliffe with new partner / husband. And that gave them the creeps - now I know the two women are quite different situations, but I can only liken it to that - not what she did or didn't do, should or shouldn't have done, but her association with someone capable of such horror - not sure if that makes sense but its how I feel

Rowlers · 25/07/2004 18:46

I completely agree that the tabloids are unscrupulous in their reporting. She has done her time and should now be allowed to get on with her life. However, I can't help but think how she admitted to lying for Huntley and covering up for him for so long. I'm a new mum (DD is 18 weeks) so am perhaps still a bit emotional but I do really pity the parents of those two girls. I can't imagine how terrible it must be for your children to go missing and have no news for so long. Maxine Carr could have prevented that and she didn't. Sorry, but if I'm honest I don't think I'd find it easy to "chat" to her in the supermarket queue.

dinosaur · 25/07/2004 18:47

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

littlemissbossy · 25/07/2004 19:17

Yes dinosaur, utterly unconcerned ... well I was until I saw her last week! there you are, I've come clean....

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Twiglett · 25/07/2004 19:23

message withdrawn

littlemissbossy · 25/07/2004 19:36

I should probably clarify a couple of points. I saw her in a busy shopping area, not(too) far from where I live and I was, if I'm honest, shocked to see her there - even though I agree that she should be left alone to live her life now. However, after I'd left the area, there apparently was an incident involving her and other local women and resulted in the police being called for her own safety, which I find completely ridiculous.

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Piffleoffagus · 25/07/2004 19:39

I think she is naive, and easily taken in, grateful for any pithy attention.
She fell for a manipulator who used her badly.
She ahs been through our court system, p[roved to be not much more than a silly stupid girl.
She is right, why are the public aggressing upon her so much and not him? Because she is a woman I expect.
So she has done her time and should be allowed to live a normal life, it only costs the taxpayer thousands upon thousands to protect her.

misdee · 25/07/2004 19:40

wouldnt be bothered. more worried about the smack heads around here.

daisy1999 · 25/07/2004 19:45

I can't help but dislike the woman although my head tells me she isn't the evil witch she is made out to be. My biggest problem with her is how much she is costing the country in protection. I don't know if it's true but I understand a cheaper option would have been for her to move abroad and I wish she had. At the end of the day she was found guilty of an offence and I think the money could be much better spent on more deserving causes.

littlemissbossy · 25/07/2004 19:45

Yes piffle you're right too - I have to admit I previously felt no sympathy for her, she lied after all and appears, quite frankly, to be nothing more than stupid. But being chased down the street by a gang of women in broad daylight, did she really do anything to deserve that? No I don't think she did.
I have to point out though that I am very surprised that the authorities have placed her in an area that is densely populated/family orientated, I would have thought they would have made her lie-low for a while IYKWIM.

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Jimjams · 25/07/2004 20:43

She clearly had some major problems herself. She was completely in love with him- and so wasn't covering up for him as such- as she didn't believe he'd done it. When she found out the truth her opinion of him changed pretty rapidly.

She was stupid- she's obviously not very bright- but should be left alone to get on with the rest of her life.

Paula71 · 25/07/2004 21:13

I agree with Jimjams, she always seemed, to put it politely, quite simple minded. Easily led and bound to be an easy victim for Huntley types. I always had a feeling she believed everything he told her even if her own mind knew he was lying.

If she moved round here she would have drug dealers and ASBO wanabees as well as neds to contend with. It would be the type of man she goes for that would be the worry but for her, not us. She should be ignored, why on earth is she doing interviews?

anonmouse · 25/07/2004 21:31

I have a very different take on this.....

A few years ago, I was the victim of a very serious crime, for which the person went to prison.

I will receive no help or protection when this person comes out of prison, even though he was said to be a continuing danger to me during the trial. When I asked the courts how I could be sure to be safe, I was told to move house, change my name and change the kids schools.....

The system stinks.

moominmama86 · 25/07/2004 21:46

But anonmouse, surely the whole point is that Carr isn't a danger to anyone and never has been? No-one is unsafe because she's out on the streets. I'm very sorry for your experience but I don't see why it gives you 'a different take' on the case of Maxine Carr?

If I saw her in the street, I would ignore her, but then I'd ignore most people! She is guilty of being stupid, simple-minded and in thrall to an indescribably violent and manipulative man. She's done her time and should be left alone.

anonmouse · 25/07/2004 21:49

Because of all the time, effort and money being spent on protecting her. I am not saying that she is guilty. But neither am I, and I am not entitled to any help whatsoever. That is what is unfair.

moominmama86 · 25/07/2004 22:08

Anonmouse, I can understand what you mean about unfairness in the issue of protection (although would you disagree that MC deserves protection from incidents like the one LMB describes?) I just thought your post was replying to the thread title itself and didn't really see where you were coming from - apologies.

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