Mob torments Scots woman mistaken for Maxine Carr

international | crime and justice | other press Wednesday August 25, 2004 14:29 by pat c

A WOMAN who became the victim of a hate campaign after she was mistaken for Maxine Carr has threatened legal action against her tormenters. Irene Lyttle, 25, claimed that her ordeal began when she moved into a new house in East Kilbride last month.

Neighbours became convinced that she was Maxine Carr, the former girlfriend of the Soham murderer Ian Huntley.

Maxine Carr, 27, was released from jail earlier this year after serving a sentence for providing Huntly, who killed the schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, with a false alibi. Her identity and whereabouts are protected by court order banning anyone from revealing details of her new life.

Ms Lyttle said that a mob of vigilantes from as far afield as Carlisle gathered outside her house, called her a “Soham murderer”, posted death threats on the internet and shoved abusive mail through her letterbox.

Eventually police and housing officials had to escort Ms Lyttle from her home because of fears for her safety.

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