Quiet, troubled became a serial

Grieveson murder trial

GROWING up in Roker Avenue, Steven Grieveson was a self- conscious, quiet lad who was a naturally talented footballer.

He came from a large family of three brothers – Terry, Wayne and Alan – and sisters Samantha, Katherine, and Leanne. His mother and father, Kathy and Terry, were separated.

Neighbours described the family as troublesome, and the young Grieveson struggled to fit in and soon became caught up in petty crime, racking up 61 offences between 1984 and 1996.

Made the subject of a care order on November 8, 1983, when he was just 13, Grieveson became a resident at Milton Hall school in Cumbria.

Social services records say problems occurred when the teen, who was a glue sniffer, was on home leave as he received “no supervision from his parents”.

Grieveson later claimed during an interview with a psychologist that he had witnessed his father beating his mother.

A report on him from his early days at the school said: “Steven has no insight into his behaviour or trouble he causes and, subsequently, no motivation for change.

“He finds it difficult to relate to or trust social workers, although has developed good relationships with staff at Milton Hall.

“He does not have any emotions and shows no remorse for his offending.”

During a review in June 1985, when he was 15, records state Grieveson’s father had left the family home and contact with him ceased completely.

A report from the same time said: “Steven gives the impression of an emotionless boy, showing little concern for anything. He spends little time with his family when away from the school.

“He spends most of his time with a circle of friends, most of whom are involved in delinquency, and has little supervision from his mother.”

A review in 1986 said Grieveson was an “emotionless boy who appears to have a ‘ couldn’t care less’ attitude towards life in general” and describes him as “emotionally fragile boy who needs the close support of his mother, which he does not get”.

Records say Grieveson’s relationships with his peers were “superficial and fickle”, and he showed no loyalty to others.

A report said: “Basically, Steven is a nervous, insecure boy who has little stability from his background or from within himself.

“He has a very low opinion of himself.”

Grieveson played for his pub’s team, Clipper FC, and was part of the team that won promotion from the fourth to