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30/11/2005
Teenager found guilty of axe murder
A 17-year-old has been found guilty of the murder of teenager Anthony Walker.
Michael Barton, from Huyton, Merseyside, had denied murdering the 18-year-old, as well as charges of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm. However, he was found guilty on Wednesday at Preston Crown Court, sitting in Liverpool.
His cousin, Paul Taylor, 20, also from Huyton, pleaded guilty to Anthony’s murder at the beginning of the trial.
The judge, Mr Justice Leveson, ruled that the murder was racially motivated.
Taylor admitted inflicting the fatal blow – with an ice axe – but Barton was convicted on the grounds that he had supplied the murder weapon and started the confrontation, which led to Anthony’s death.
Anthony, who is black, was murdered in McGoldrick Park, Merseyside, in July. He had left a bus stop, along with his cousin, Marcus Binns, and his girlfriend, Louise Thompson – who is white – after suffering racial abuse, but were confronted in the park. Both Marcus and Louise managed to escape, but Anthony was attacked. When he was found, the ice axe was still embedded in his skull.
During the trial, Barton had denied that the ice axe belonged to him and claimed that the first time he had seen it was when it was embedded in Anthony’s head.
Following a 'Newton hearing', Mr Justice Leveson ruled that the murder was racially motivated. Both Barton and Taylor will be sentenced tomorrow. Murder cases that are judged to be racially motivated result in the minimum life sentence being doubled.
Anthony’s family have welcomed the ruling. A statement from the family, read by his cousin David Okoro, said: “We are satisfied with the verdict, but we are not celebrating. We have no reason to be jubilant, because that will not bring Anthony back.”
(KMcA/SP)
Michael Barton, from Huyton, Merseyside, had denied murdering the 18-year-old, as well as charges of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm. However, he was found guilty on Wednesday at Preston Crown Court, sitting in Liverpool.
His cousin, Paul Taylor, 20, also from Huyton, pleaded guilty to Anthony’s murder at the beginning of the trial.
The judge, Mr Justice Leveson, ruled that the murder was racially motivated.
Taylor admitted inflicting the fatal blow – with an ice axe – but Barton was convicted on the grounds that he had supplied the murder weapon and started the confrontation, which led to Anthony’s death.
Anthony, who is black, was murdered in McGoldrick Park, Merseyside, in July. He had left a bus stop, along with his cousin, Marcus Binns, and his girlfriend, Louise Thompson – who is white – after suffering racial abuse, but were confronted in the park. Both Marcus and Louise managed to escape, but Anthony was attacked. When he was found, the ice axe was still embedded in his skull.
During the trial, Barton had denied that the ice axe belonged to him and claimed that the first time he had seen it was when it was embedded in Anthony’s head.
Following a 'Newton hearing', Mr Justice Leveson ruled that the murder was racially motivated. Both Barton and Taylor will be sentenced tomorrow. Murder cases that are judged to be racially motivated result in the minimum life sentence being doubled.
Anthony’s family have welcomed the ruling. A statement from the family, read by his cousin David Okoro, said: “We are satisfied with the verdict, but we are not celebrating. We have no reason to be jubilant, because that will not bring Anthony back.”
(KMcA/SP)
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01 December 2005
Racist killers jailed for life
Two cousins have been jailed for life for the racist murder of Liverpool teenager Anthony Walker. Paul Taylor, 20, from Huyton, Merseyside, was told he must serve at least 23 years eight months in prison. Michael Barton, 17, also from Huyton, was ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years and eight months.
Racist killers jailed for life
Two cousins have been jailed for life for the racist murder of Liverpool teenager Anthony Walker. Paul Taylor, 20, from Huyton, Merseyside, was told he must serve at least 23 years eight months in prison. Michael Barton, 17, also from Huyton, was ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years and eight months.
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Attempted murder inquiry launched after shooting
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15 November 2005
Man pleads guilty to Anthony Walker murder
One of the men accused of murdering teenager Anthony Walker has pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court. Paul Taylor, 20, had originally denied murdering the 18-year-old A-Level student, who died after being attacked with an axe in the Huyton area of Merseyside in July.
Man pleads guilty to Anthony Walker murder
One of the men accused of murdering teenager Anthony Walker has pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court. Paul Taylor, 20, had originally denied murdering the 18-year-old A-Level student, who died after being attacked with an axe in the Huyton area of Merseyside in July.
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