TERENCE MCCREADY'S LONELY DEATH IN MANSFIELD: CHILD KILLER DIES OF CANCER AFTER 15 YEARS IN PRISON

In May 2007, the tragic story of Terence McCready, a convicted child killer from Mansfield, took a somber turn as news of his death was finally made public. McCready, who was serving a life sentence for the brutal manslaughter of 16-year-old Karin Griffin from Mansfield Woodhouse, passed away from colonic cancer at the age of 44. His death occurred at the Marie Curie Hospice in Newcastle on June 2nd, after he had been diagnosed with the illness the previous May while incarcerated at Durham's Frankland Prison.

McCready's heinous crime dates back to Valentine’s Day in 1991, when he abducted Karin just a few yards from her home on Sherwood Street. Karin was out running an errand for her parents when McCready, then a known sex offender, ambushed her. Despite her resistance, he inflicted a fatal throat wound, slitting her throat in a violent attack. Following this, he sexually assaulted the young girl before discarding her body in an allotment at Yeoman Hill Park, not far from her residence.

Throughout his criminal history, McCready had accumulated 11 convictions related to sexual offenses against children, dating back to 1978. His criminal record included multiple incarcerations in high-security prisons across the country. Notably, he had recently been released from Lincoln Prison, where he served a two-year sentence for molesting a four-year-old boy, only to reoffend shortly thereafter. Less than a month after his release, he was responsible for Karin Griffin’s murder. In the period following his release, McCready was also accused of indecently assaulting a 14-year-old boy on January 30th and physically and sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl on February 12th.

His repeated reoffending raised serious questions about the justice system’s handling of his case, with Karin’s parents expressing their frustration and disbelief. They questioned how someone with such a dangerous history was allowed back onto the streets to potentially harm more children. Despite his numerous convictions, McCready was granted multiple releases, which only added to their anguish.

McCready’s death was only revealed during an inquest held last Wednesday, where the coroner, David Mitford, recorded a verdict of natural causes. The news came as a relief to Karin Griffin’s parents, Debra (41) and Bill (45), who reside in Mansfield Woodhouse. Speaking to Chad from their home, they shared their feelings of relief and closure. Debra explained, “We were not actually informed of McCready’s death when it happened, and only found out on Thursday evening when a neighbor told us she had read it in a newspaper. We were shocked and wanted to throw a party that evening — it was such a relief knowing that he couldn’t hurt us anymore.”

They also revealed that rumors about McCready’s health had circulated, with some suggesting he might be granted parole. However, his death put an end to those speculations. “News of his death has hushed those rumors once and for all,” Debra said. “Although his death won’t bring our little girl back, we can carry on with our lives knowing he won’t be able to harm another family like he did ours.”

Reflecting on the impact of Karin’s murder, Bill and Debra expressed that life has been incredibly difficult since that tragic day, but they have managed to persevere with the support of their other children—Kayleigh, Kirsty, and Liam. They emphasized that no punishment could truly match the severity of McCready’s crimes, but his death has provided a sense of peace and closure. “We can now move forward, knowing there is no chance of him being released again,” Debra added.

In the aftermath of his death, the family’s grief remains profound, yet they find solace in the fact that McCready’s life of crime has finally come to an end. The case continues to evoke questions about the justice system’s handling of repeat offenders, especially those with a history of abusing children. None of McCready’s family members attended the inquest, where a verdict of natural causes was officially recorded by the coroner, underscoring the finality of his passing.