Hyndburn ‘harbouring killer’ charge is dropped (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Hyndburn ‘harbouring killer’ charge is dropped

11:20am Friday 31st August 2012 in News By Vanessa Cornall, Crime reporter

A 45-YEAR-OLD Hyndburn woman accused of harbouring a double murderer in her home has had the case against her dropped.

Karen O’Leary, of Walmsley Close, Church, was charged with harb-ouring killer Mark Edmonds at her home in June.

Edmonds stabbed 25-year-old Cecily Browne, and her five-year-old daughter, Khardine, to death in their home, in Stainton Gardens, Lincoln, in September 1984.

The bodies of the mother and daughter were discovered by neigh-bours two days later. Reports from the time say his motive was to steal £40 from the gas meter.

Edmonds was sentenced to life imprisonment at Nottingham Crown Court in May 1985.

In June, 27 years into his sentence, he was released from HMP Sudbury to go out on a pre-arranged work placement, but failed to return.

Blackburn magistrates heard Edmonds, 52, spent a Saturday night drinking in the Cross Guns pub, Church, before going on to a house party.

Police were informed of his whereabouts after an associate revealed he was “on the run”.

Work placements are designed to prepare prisoners for their eventual release from custody.

Mark Edmonds was sent in custody to Burnley Crown Court on a charge of escaping from lawful custody.

Blackburn Magistrates’ Court was informed by the Crown Prosecution Service that it had reviewed the evidence and had decided to discontinue the charge against O’Leary.