CHILD killer Mary Bell's High Court bid for life-long anonymity brought more heartache to relatives of her victims yesterday.

The High Court in London heard how Bell - who was 11 when she killed two small boys in Newcastle - and her 18-year-old daughter would face a "real likelihood" of harassment if their identities were revealed.

Edward Fitzgerald QC, acting for Bell, now 46, said: ''That is the view of all the experts, and that in turn raises the risk of vilification, ostracism and interference with the rehabilitation of Bell and prejudice to her physical and mental well-being.''

Bell was convicted of the manslaughter of Martin Brown, four, and Brian Howe, three, in 1968. She was released on licence in 1980.

Yesterday, the mother of Martin Brown, June Richardson, 59, of Gateshead, spoke of her continued anguish.

"Her child deserves anonymity, but she doesn't deserve anything," said Mrs Richardson, who attended the hearing in London. "I feel absolutely drained. The whole family is devastated by this and it's going to take a while to get over it again."

David Hines, of the North of England Victims' Association, which has backed Mrs Richardson's stance, said: "I am sure she will be granted anonymity, which will be like a kick in the teeth.

"If she had served life for her crime then there wouldn't be a question of anonymity."

Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, president of the Family Division, heard yesterday that Bell's extreme youth at the time of the crimes and her new identity, with the full consent of the Home Office, were features of her case which justified "a unique approach".

Many said Bell lost her right to anonymity when she was reputedly paid £50,000 for co-operating with a book on her life, Cries Unheard, by journalist Gitta Sereny in 1998.

The media is not contesting the proceedings, but the Attorney General, representing the public interest, has said there are "delicate issues" over a right to privacy and the importance of open justice.

Andrew Caldecott QC, for the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, told the court that creating "zonal secrecy" around certain offenders would have to be justified on the facts of the case.

A decision will be given after Easter.