Grieveson guilty of schoolboy murder

Serial killer Steven Grieveson has been found guilty at Newcastle Crown Court of the murder of 14-year-old Simon Martin whose body was found at a derelict property in Sunderland in 1990.

The schoolboy had suffered head injuries when his body was discovered at Gillside House in Roker.

42-year-old Grieveson admitted responsibility for the death of the teenager but pleaded not guilty on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

On Thursday the jury found him guilty after a trial lasting nine days.

Detective Superintendent Roger Ford said: "Grieveson is a calculated serial killer whose actions left residents shocked and cast a shadow over the community for many years.

"I would like to pay tribute to Simon Martin's family and friends who have waited for such a long time to see someone take responsibility for this terrible crime and see justice being done.

"They have borne this heavy burden with great dignity and fortitude throughout the investigation.

"This has been a long running investigation and it is a credit to the late detective Chief Supt Dave Wilson, and to DCI Paul Young and his team that Simon’s murderer has been brought to justice.

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

Grieveson was previously found guilty in February 1996 of the murders of three teenage boys - 18-year-old Thomas Kelly and 15-year-olds David Hanson and David Grieff, all from Sunderland.

He was given three life sentences with a minimum tariff of 35 years in prison.

The body of Thomas Kelly was found in November 26, 1993. Four months later, on Tuesday, February 8, 1994, the body of David Hanson was discovered and on Friday, February 25,1994, David Grieff's body was recovered.

The bodies of Thomas Kelly and David Grieff were found in Monkwearmouth and David Hanson's body was found in a derelict house in Roker.