YOUNG people in the North-East will today get a new insight into a murder case that shocked Britain more than a century ago.

Former Northumbria Police detective superintendent Stephanie Yearnshire and her husband John, also a retired police officer, have used their modern policing skills and knowledge to look again at the case of County Durham murderer Mary Ann Cotton.

Mrs Yearnshire will be revealing the couple's findings in a lecture for schools at the University of Sunderland entitled: Mary Ann Cotton, hung for murder in 1873 - wilful mass murderess or misunderstood matriarch?

Cotton was for many years regarded as Britain's greatest mass murderer, after 21 people close to her died over a period of 20 years.

She was hanged in Durham Prison in March 1873 for the murder of her stepson.

Mrs Yearnshire, a University of Sunderland honorary graduate, has an honours degree in criminal justice studies and a masters degree in criminology.

She recently became a senior lecturer after a broad-based career in the police service. The University of Sunderland's lecture series for schools continues throughout this year and has included talks by children's author Terry Deary and athlete-turned-broadcaster Steve Cram.

The series is aimed at school years 11, 12 and 13.

For more information, call 0191- 515 3000.