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Family murders relative in revenge attack
21 Mar
Summary
- Mother, son, and daughter conspired to kill relative.
- Revenge attack occurred on victim's doorstep.
- Killing was filmed to be posted on social media.
A mother, her son, and her daughter have been handed life sentences for the murder of a distant relative in Blackburn. The trio, Joanne Maxwell, Liam Donlin, and Amie Clegg, plotted and carried out the revenge killing of Paul Scott on June 21, last year. Maxwell reportedly had a dispute with Mr Scott following a brawl at a previous family gathering.
Maxwell is said to have 'masterminded' the attack, which saw Donlin stab Mr Scott in the heart with a 20cm kitchen knife as he answered his door. Clegg lured the victim to the door while Donlin’s phone recorded the fatal approach. The attack was intended as a warning and was filmed to be posted on social media.
Following the stabbing, Clegg made a 999 call, falsely claiming they had found Mr Scott already injured. Evidence presented at Preston Crown Court included two knives found in the kitchen sink and a third in Maxwell's car.
All three denied murder, but a jury found them guilty after a three-hour deliberation. Mr Justice Bryan described the murder as a 'needless tragedy over a very trivial sleight,' emphasizing the lifelong impact on Mr Scott's family. Maxwell received a minimum sentence of 23 years, Donlin 26 years, and Clegg 20 years.
