Serial killer Steven Grieveson guilty of Simon Martin murder

A serial killer who killed three teenagers has been found guilty of murdering a 14-year-old boy.

Steven Grieveson, 42, was convicted of murdering Simon Martin, whose semi-naked body was found in a derelict house in Sunderland in 1990.

He is serving three life terms for strangling Thomas Kelly, 18, and David Hanson and David Grieff, both 15.

Grieveson had denied murder at Newcastle Crown Court, saying Simon's death was an accident.

The jury heard that Grieveson, who did not give evidence, accepted that he did kill the schoolboy but blamed his actions on an abnormality of mind.

Killer 'haunted'

In 2012, the fairground worker, formerly of Roker Terrace, Sunderland, told police he took Simon to derelict Gilside House, sexually abused him and then attacked him.

He said he had confessed to the killing because it had "haunted" him for 20 years.

During the two-week trial, the court heard all four teenagers were found with ligatures around their necks and their bodies were badly burned.

Simon Martin was found dead in 1990

The bodies of Thomas Kelly, David Hanson and David Grieff were found between three and four years after Simon's death.

At first it was thought their deaths were due to experimentation with glue sniffing, and possibly drugs.

However, a review of the cases revealed they had been strangled.

Grieveson was convicted of their murders, and handed three life sentences, with a minimum tariff of 35 years.

He will be sentenced for Simon's murder later.

Speaking after the verdict, Dept Supt Roger Ford, of Northumbria Police, said: "Grieveson is a calculated serial killer whose actions left residents shocked and cast a shadow over the community for many years.

"We welcome this verdict and hope that Simon Martin's family and friends now feel that justice has been done."

'Painful memories'

Robert and Jean Martin, Simon's parents, said in a statement: "This is the end of a long journey for us, which will finally give us closure.

"Now Grieveson could spend the rest of his days behind bars.

Grieveson's earlier victims: Thomas Kelly, left, David Hanson, centre and David Grieff

"No other family should have to lose a son and suffer the heartache we have had to endure."

The families of Grieveson's three other victims said in a joint statement: "Our sons were taken away from us by a cruel man whose despicable actions cost four boys their lives.

"Listening to this trial has brought back so many painful memories for us, and we would like to express our deepest sympathies to Simon's parents for the pain they have suffered over the last 23 years.

"We hope that the outcome of this trial will help them to feel that justice has been done for Simon.

"Our sons would be grown men now. We will never forget them and they will live on in our hearts forever."