The family say Mary Bell created her own publicity

The family of Martin Brown, who was one of two young boys killed by Bell in 1968, when she was 11, condemned the judge's decision as "a mockery".

Speaking outside the court to the BBC, Martin's sister Sharon Richardson said the decision had given Mary Bell a "free reign".

"There were no condition imposed. She [Mary Bell] made a lot of money out of this and there should be rules so that she is not allowed to do that again," she said.

She put herself into the public eye - she did it herself Sharon Richardson, sister of victim

She said the family were taken by surprise when the killer collaborated over a book about her crimes, published in 1998.

"She publicised herself when she brought that book out," said Ms Richardson.

"It was only when she brought it out that she put herself into the public eye - she did it herself."

And she feared that there could be more publicity after Wednesday's ruling.

"Everyone wants to know Mary Bell's story, so it will never be the end of it."

'No prior warning'

Ms Richardson said the family, her sister Linda and mother June felt no animosity towards Mary Bell's 19-year-old daughter, but had "no feelings" for the killer herself.

Speaking of the judgement she said: "The victims are not the heart of the subject - no one was interested in our family."

A spokeswoman for Mothers Against Murders and Aggression also felt the decision, although not unexpected, went "in favour of criminals".

She said Mary Bell had given up her own right to anonymity when she helped author Gitta Sereny to write a book about her life.

"The families of Martin Brown and Brian Howe have never had the privilege of remaining anonymous and just when they were learning to live with the murders of their children 30 years before, Bell's book was released, with no prior warning to the families."

Gitta Sereny said she was 'grateful' for the judge's ruling

Ms Sereny's book provoked a storm of media interest in the case with reporters laying siege to Bell's home after it emerged she was paid for helping the author.

Ms Sereny said on Wednesday that she understood the anger of the victims' families, but called the decision "justified".

"I am very grateful to the judge and for her daughter it was obvious she had to be protected," she said after Wednesday's decision.

"Mary Bell today is not the person she was when she was 11."

She said the killer had not sought payment for her contribution to the book.