'I wanted him to suffer as long as possible'

THE son of an adored grandmother who was murdered in her own home says he wanted her killer “to suffer as long as possible”, but is relieved none of his family will ever see him walk free.

- By POPPY KENNEDY

Norma Bell has been described as an “angel” who had a “heart as big as a lion” by her loved ones.

The 79-year-old grandmother, from Hartlepool, was killed in cold blood by Gareth Dack in April 2016.

On Monday, Dack died at HMP Frankland, the prison service confirmed. He was jailed for life and told he would serve a minimum of 33 years in 2017.

The 41-year-old had been behind bars for nine years since he was first arrested for the brutal murder.

Despite the evidence against him, Dack denied murder and arson but was found guilty following a three-week trial at Teesside Crown Court.

Now, one of Mrs Bell's sons has spoken out as his family were told their mother’s killer had died. Graham Bell, told The Gazette: “I'm happy he is dead but I would have liked him to serve the 33 years and died the day before he was released. I wanted him to suffer as long as possible.”

He said within the family a pact had been formed that: “Those of us that are alive will be waiting at the prison gates on the day he's released and those who are dead will be waiting at the gates of hell.”